The Canterbury Police SAR led search and recovery operation for the kayaker who went missing on Lake Coleridge on Saturday afternoon (4 April 2015) enters its fifth day today.
Police Divers from Wellington started an underwater search of the area the man was last seen in on Sunday morning (5 April 2015). So far they have searched over an acre of the silty and rocky lake floor at depths approaching 30 metres with an average water temperature of 14-15 degrees Celsius. Yesterday the NZ Navy joined the search effort by deploying their REMUS sonar to scan a further 700 x 300 metre area. Another land search of the surrounding shore was undertaken by NZ Defence personnel with some of the missing man’s friends and family yesterday.
Unfortunately the man has yet to be located.
The Police dive team and NZ Navy will continue the underwater search today.
Canterbury Police can confirm that the missing man was a member of the NZ Army who is understood to have gone on his own to Lake Coleridge for a recreational trip and was not participating in any military exercise or training. No further personal details of the missing kayaker will be released at this time.
The missing man’s family, who are being supported by the NZ Army and Canterbury Police, have asked for privacy while the search continues.
Coleridge Intake Road will remain closed from Algidus Road to the intake while the recovery operation is underway.
A further update will be provided tomorrow. No further details will be released today.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
