Rakaia River mouth search and rescue operation

Police have suspended the search for 21 year old Victor Edward BORAMAN, missing after being swept into the sea at the Rakaia River mouth last Sunday night (7 October).

No trace of Mr BORAMAN has been found since Sunday night when the Westpac Rescue helicopter crew located Mr BORAMAN in the water, but were unable to effect a rescue.

Mr BORAMAN was whitebaiting with two friends at the river mouth when he was swept into the sea.  The Westpac Rescue helicopter from Christchurch was tasked to search for him and with the assistance of spotters on shore, located him after he had been in the water for about an hour.

However as the helicopter was attempting a rescue, Mr BORAMAN was hit by a large wave and sucked under the water.  Weather and sea conditions were very poor at the time and made searching difficult.

Further searches last evening (Friday 12 October) by a Coastguard Air Patrol fixed wing aircraft and LandSAR volunteers using quad bikes from the Rakaia and Ellesmere LandSAR groups again failed to find any trace of Mr BORAMAN.

Mr BORAMAN's family has been advised of the suspension of the search.