A search is underway in Canterbury following reports a swimmer disappeared in the Waimakariri River earlier this evening.
It is the second emergency water incident in Canterbury today after a young child died in a suspected drowning at a Christchurch pool.
In a statement police said emergency services were notified at 7.10pm that a person had failed to surface after jumping into the Waimakariri River.
"A search and rescue operation is currently under way."
A spokesperson for St Johns ambulance said a rescue helicopter, police and St John were searching for the swimmer.
Photos from the scene show a rescue helicopter hovering over an area of the river while several people watch from the river's edge.
Another shows a rope swing hanging from a tree near the water.
