PHOTO
A large-scale search effort is under way for a man who was swept away by a Canterbury river while out hiking.
Detective Cam Ellis from Christchurch Search and Rescue said police received a report the man was “swept downstream” just after noon on Thursday.
The man and his friend were hiking on the Cass-Lagoon Saddle track in Craigieburn Forest Park, Selwyn.
“While attempting a river crossing the man has fallen and been swept downstream,” said Ellis.
The man’s friend was able to make it back to State Highway 73 / West Coast Rd, where a concerned passerby stopped to help and contacted police.
Ellis said the missing man’s friend received minor injuries and was transported to Christchurch Hospital.
Police requested Coastguard North Canterbury’s assistance with the search just after 2pm, which centred on a stretch of the Cass River near where State Highway 73 crosses it, roughly four to five kilometres upstream of the bridge.
The two men had been walking the track when they fell into the river; one managed to reach the riverbank, while the other was swept further downstream.
A search of the river and the surrounding area for the man was unsuccessful on Thursday and the teams continued into the night.
Another search started on Friday morning, but Ellis said the conditions were hazardous.
“Police, along with dog units, Land Search and Rescue teams, rescue helicopters from Garden City Helicopters and Main Divide Helicopters, and North Canterbury Coastguard, conducted searches of the river and surrounding areas; however, no one was located.
“I want to commend the hard work of all those involved in the search.
"Conditions are hazardous, and Land Search and Rescue volunteers along with Police search teams are currently working through snow, flooded rivers, and an alpine environment to search for the missing man,” Ellis said.
A Coastguard North Canterbury spokesperson said the missing man’s friend faced an hour-long walk through rugged native forest and heavy, rock-strewn riverbed before they came across a member of the public.
"During the search, Coastguard crew located a beanie believed to belong to the missing man, a find that helped narrow the search area along the difficult terrain.
“The Cass River search highlights the demanding conditions Coastguard volunteers are often called into at short notice, in fast-moving water surrounded by steep, forested terrain, and failing light among them. It also highlights the value of a coordinated response between Police, LandSAR and Coastguard when someone goes missing in the back country.”
-Allied Media