Clutha River - Missing Person

Today the search for Blake Mckenzie SINCLAIR (18yrs) of Clutha Valley has resumed with both jetboat and field team phases commencing at 7.30am with a deployment briefing.

Day 2's search phase involves 13 jet boat teams and 9 field teams being deployed along the Clutha River. Downstream from the Waitahuna confluence These teams are conducting riverbank and main flow searches.

At present 78 volunteers are in the field with 10 further volunteers in the incident management team based at Balclutha Police station along with 5 police staff working of the search operation.

A helicopter is to be used this morning to assist with the search of the area.

Efforts have been hampered by the high level of the river and the poor visibility as a result of spilling from the headwaters.

The public support and willingness to help is greatly appreciated and any offers for assistance are asked to be co-ordinated via the Balclutha Police search base management team. Volunteer contact can be made through contact number 03 4184719.