Police and Navy divers continue search for missing jet skier

Six Royal New Zealand Navy divers and five Police divers have spent most of today (Tuesday 11 January) searching Lake Okareka, near Rotorua, for missing jet-skier, 17 year old Bishop Thompson.

Mr Thompson has been missing since he was knocked off a jet ski on the lake on Saturday afternoon (8 January).

The Rotorua Police Acting Area Commander, Senior Sergeant Ed van den Broek, says the two search teams are being supported by Naval sonar equipment.

“Today we have been searching a 400 metre by 500 metre stretch of the lake, in an area that has been identified as the location where Mr Thompson went missing. We have undertaken an extensive grid search of this area using the sonar.

“The area we are searching has a depth of between 30 and 33 metres, with visibility of just one to one and a half metres. The bottom is a combination of mud and silt, and any movement in the area stirs up the bottom, limiting visibility even further.”

Senior Sergeant van den Broek says Police are also re-interviewing witnesses and undertaking a basic reconstruction this afternoon in order to double-check potential search areas.

“At the moment, the depth of the lake and conditions on the bottom of the lake mean that using sonar equipment, supported by the two dive squads, is our best possible option. Re-confirming witness statements means that we can be sure we are deploying these options in the most effective way.

“This is an upsetting time for everyone involved, not least of which for the family, as well as for the Police, Navy and search and rescue staff involved. It’s absolutely critical that we do everything we can to try and locate Mr Thompson and provide some resolution to his family."

Senior Sergeant van den Broek says two methods of dive technique are being used by the two squads. The Navy divers are utilising decompression diving, which means divers make a decompression stop on each return to the surface. A decompression chamber is located on site as a safety precaution.

The Police divers are able to dive up to 30 metres and are utilising a twin-tank system containing a 35 per cent nitrox mix, meaning decompression stops are not required.

Senior Sergeant van den Broek says the search is continuing into the evening.