Mid Section Rapids, Rangitaiki River, Kaingaroa Forest. - Search and rescue - missing kayaker found

A kayaker who went missing Sunday evening about 9 pm in the Kaingaroa Forrest has been found after a search by 2 Search and Rescue teams from Rotorua.

The kayaker was with a group from Auckland kayaking down the Rangitaiki River when she became separated from her kayak. She climbed up the riverbank and walked into the bush. 2 other members of the group walked up a bush track to look for her and went missing themselves.

The alarm was raised and Rotorua SAR attended with 2 teams at midnight and searched until 3 am.

The search was restarted at first light with a raft down the river and 2 persons for the group were found. The last person was found just after 8 am.