Search and Rescue scaled back

The Search & Rescue operation at Okarito for Mr. Snoep has been scaled back to a limited continuous search pattern.

A land based search covering 11kilomters of the coastline this morning failed to locate any sign of the missing fisherman.

The search effort involved a team of Land Search & Rescue volunteers from Hokitika, South Westland and supported by local Okarito residents.

Mr. Snoep went missing yesterday after he entered the water in an attempt to save two other fisherman who had been swept out to sea.

An off duty police officer was also on the scene and managed to successfully rescue one of the men, the other was rescued by a local man who had a small dinghy however they were unable to locate Mr. Snoep.

If it was not for the courageous actions of those involved in the rescue more lives may have been lost.

Police would like to remind those fishing on the West Coast this whitebait season not to under estimate the danger of river mouths and the surf.

"Essentially there are no safe beaches on the West Coast and given the remoteness of many white baiting areas, fisherman need to remain vigilant".

Police would also like to thank the community of Okarito for their support to both the search effort and the missing man's family.