Police are growing increasingly concerned for the safety of two men who ran off after abandoning a stolen vehicle near Atiamuri.
The vehicle had earlier failed to stop for police and there was a short pursuit but the officers lost sight of the vehicle as it turned into a forestry track. Police came across the abandoned vehicle a short time later.
Approximately 20 minutes later a police dog tracked from the abandoned vehicle directly to the river. There has been no sign of the two men since, despite a large scale search involving Coastguard, a helicopter and a land search.
Police believe they know the identity of at least one of the two men and both men are believed to be in their 20s and from the Taupo/Tokoroa area.
Enquiries are continuing this evening in respect of the two men and searching will resume again in the morning. The Police National Dive Squad has been contacted and is heading up from Wellington tonight to assist with any searching requirements in the morning.
If anyone sees these men or knows anything about their current whereabouts they are asked to contact Police immediately.