Police Search and Rescue continue to search for a missing kayaker on Lake Rotorua this morning after he was reported overdue yesterday afternoon.
The man, who was in a black and yellow inflatable kayak and wearing a dark green jacket, was believed to be in the Mokoia Island area.
Yesterday two Coastguard vessels were out searching on the lake, and Police SAR and LandSAR volunteers undertook a search of the island.
A helicopter also conducted an aerial sweep of the northern end of the lake.
Unfortunately no sign of the kayaker was found yesterday, and the search has resumed this morning.
Police SAR and LandSAR will return to Mokoia Island today, and further Coastguard searches of the shoreline are planned.
‘We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen this man or his kayak, likely at the northern end of the lake, yesterday afternoon.
‘If you have information that might help, please call 105 and quote event number P052355407.’
Sadly another one. People completely underestimate the danger of this lake. It can be very rough and very cold. It can change very quickly. The island looks close but in reality it is very far away, especially by kayak.
My husband had to rescue 2 elderly tourists using another neighbours aluminium dingy and a 5hp engine. The 2 men in their 60s from America had attempted to kayak out to the island. By the time they had been towed back at least one was borderline hypothermic. They had no cell phone, and no lifejackets. I was onshore with their wives and tried to call coastguard but to no avail so called police who showed up by did absolutely nothing and despite the light slowly fading had no useful suggestions to make. If not for the neighbours boat, these men would have been out there all night and I don’t think the outcome would have been the same.
I wish there were signs warning people of the dangers.
So many lives lost . So sad.