Ōpōtiki police searching for two men who jumped into Ōtara River
Police in Ōpōtiki are searching for two men who fled a vehicle after failing to stop for officers and jumping into the Ōtara River. A search and rescue operation involving a helicopter and coastguard is currently underway.
Why it matters
This is an active public safety incident involving law enforcement and emergency services.
Police are appealing for sightings of two men who failed to stop for officers before jumping into a Bay of Plenty river.
Duty Inspector Phil Edwards said a driver ran a red light in the Wainui area at 3.45am and failed to stop for police when signalled.
“Road spikes were successfully deployed about 10km from Ōpōtiki shortly after 4am, before the vehicle came to a stop down Snell Rd, by the Ōtara River,” Edwards said.
The two occupants then got out of the vehicle and jumped into the water.
“A search and rescue operation was launched, with assistance from the Harbourmaster, Coastguard Ōpōtiki and a rescue helicopter, but the two males have not been located.”
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