A search is continuing for a man missing in the water near Ōhope after police said he fled from officers last night and swam away.
Police responded to a “family harm-related incident” at Ōhope Beach, east of Whakatāne, at around 6pm yesterday.
When officers arrived at the scene, a 48-year-old Whakatāne man ran away and jumped into the harbour, Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said.
“Officers engaged with him and attempted to get him to come out of the water but he refused, continuing to walk away from them,” she said.
“When the man started swimming further away and against the outgoing tide, members of the public who were nearby sourced paddleboards, kayaks and a boat and went to assist, but the man was not located.”
Coastguard and rescue helicopters were deployed to assist in the search for the man but he has not been found.
A search will continue today with the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.
