A search is continuing for a man who went missing from Auckland’s Piha Beach, after the group they were with became caught in a rip yesterday afternoon.
The man remained missing as of 3pm, according to an update from Surf Life Saving.
A spokesperson said lifeguards “understand” that the missing man cannot swim.
Today’s shoreline search for the man was being carried out around the Lion Rock, South Piha and Blue Pool areas, police said.
They added that the Eagle helicopter “would also conduct an aerial search where possible” around the popular west Auckland beach.
An Auckland Coastguard air patrol plane had also been assisting in the search.
At about 4pm yesterday, lifeguards witnessed the group of seven swimmers being swept out to sea in a rip amid “rough sea conditions”.
A spokesperson for Surf Life Saving said: “Conditions on the day were rough, with a choppy 2.5m swell, gusting north easterly wind and low tide at the time of this incident.
“The swimmers were in the flagged area which meant surf lifeguards were watching and were able to rescue six out of the seven swimmers.”
They added: “Surf lifeguards responded promptly, paddling out to the group and rescuing four people with a rescue board. In the meantime, two surf lifeguards launched the inflatable rescue boat and rescued two further people.”
“Three inflatable rescue boats and three rescue watercraft (jetskis) were then deployed to search for the missing person.
“The team at Surf Life Saving New Zealand extends our aroha to the whānau and friends of the missing person. We are providing support to the surf lifeguards involved.”
