Hutt Valley Police urgently need the public's help to identify a critically ill man rescued from the sea off Eastbourne Beach near Burdans Gate on Monday (30 March) around 10:30pm.
The man was rescued from the water by two members of the public who provided CPR until ambulance staff arrived. He was then taken to Hutt Hospital in a critical condition, before being transferred to Wellington Hospital ICU, where he now remains on life support.
"Unfortunately due to his condition, Police has been unable to speak with him and he was not carrying any identification that could help us find out who he is," says Detective Sergeant Grant Carroll of Hutt Valley CIB.
"Despite further enquiries and appeals through the media, unfortunately we're still no closer to positively identifying him, so have taken the unusual step of releasing his photograph in the hope that someone out there will recognise him and make contact with us as soon as possible. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be the key in unlocking his identity, and we appeal to anyone who thinks they may have information that could help us to please make contact.
"We're confident that someone out there must know he is, and we ask them to please make contact with us urgently so we can find his family and speak with them as soon as possible. Given his critical status, time is of the essence."
Anyone with information should contact DS Carroll at Hutt Valley Police on 04 212 3717. Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously through the organisation Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by: Ross Henderson, Police Media ph 021 192 2919.
