Cambridge Police are angry the lives of their colleagues may be being put needlessly at risk as the search of a river for a missing driver in the Waikato River continues.
Western Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, said officers had been able to make contact with the registered owner of the vehicle involved in last night's incident but he was being uncooperative.
"We've spoken to the 40-year-old male owner and asked to meet with him but he has refused."
Mr Carpenter said this lack of cooperation placed Police in a difficult situation in that a search of the river, in a stretch of water signposted as unsafe for swimming, still had to be carried out so they could be sure anyone else who may have been driving the car wasn't still in the water.
"Speaking to members of our National Police Dive Squad they've described conditions in the river as treacherous, with a fast current, plenty of debris and very little ability to see.
"They pointed out a fully submerged car not far from where the man jumped into the river as well as logs, rocks and a whole assortment of rubbish built up over the years."
The divers pointed out it wasn't the first time they had been involved in recovery operations on that part of the Waikato River and described the stretch of water as very hazardous.
Mr Carpenter said given the car owner's lack of cooperation Police are now having to factor into the equation the possibility the driver may have made his way out of the river undetected.
"Subsequently we're now asking for any sightings of the man's car, a 1991 blue Fiat Tipo DGT, registration number RD5157 at or around 11.20pm yesterday and also for any sightings of a male seen dripping wet in the Cambridge area late last night."
Anyone with any information on the identity of the driver or sightings of that person or the Fiat is asked to contact the Cambridge Police station on 07 8275531.
Alternatively information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers crimeline, 0800 555111.
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