7 Feb 2016

Divers join search for missing man

6:51 am on 7 February 2016

The police dive squad will this morning join the search for a man who went missing in the Waikato River near Taupo last night.

Waikato River

Waikato River Photo: 123rf

Police were alerted just before 9pm after the man, who was swimming in the natural hot pools at Spa Park, swam into the main flow of the river but failed to get back to the bank.

Police, a rescue helicopter, the coast guard and search and rescue volunteers spent the night looking for him.

The identity of the man was unknown, and police were appealing for any information that would help identify him.

There were about 20 people at the hot pool last night when he went missing.

The natural hot pool at Spa Park is where the Otumuheke Stream flows into the Waikato River, and is a popular attraction for Taupo locals and visitors.