Water and shoreline searches have resumed at Lake Moawhango, Waiouru, this morning for a soldier who fell overboard from an inflatable boat while on a training exercise on Tuesday night.
Ruapehu Area Commander Inspector Steve Mastrovich said that the Royal New Zealand Navy operational dive team and the Police National Dive Squad are about to enter the water as shoreline searches continue for the missing soldier who is in his 20s.
Water conditions are calm this morning and it is hoped this will assist the search which has now moved into a recovery phase.
Inspector Mastrovich said the divers and support craft were briefed with ground personnel at 0700 this morning to plan the focus of today’s search.
“Sadly there is still no sign of the missing man and we are all doing everything we can to find him,” Inspector Mastrovich said.
About 100 people are involved in the search, many of whom are NZDF personnel who are checking the shoreline. The divers will be using Navy sonar equipment this morning.
Police and NZDF hope to release the young man’s name later this morning.
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Police Media contact: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, 027 241 6305
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