Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Duty Inspector Phil Edwards:
Police in the Ōpōtiki area are appealing to the public to locate two males who failed to stop for officers this morning before jumping in the river.
Around 3:45am, the driver of a vehicle ran a red light in the Wainui area and failed to stop for Police when signalled .
Road spikes were successfully deployed about 10km from Ōpōtiki shortly after 4am, before the vehicle came to a stop down Snell Road, by the Otara River.
The two occupants have then got out of the vehicle and jumped into the water.
A search and rescue operation was launched, with assistance from the Harbourmaster, Coastguard Ōpōtiki, and a rescue helicopter, but the two males have not been located.
Police Search and Rescue staff are continuing the search this morning, and are appealing to the public for help.
If you are one of these males, you know who they are, or you have any other information which may help us locate them, please get in touch. We’re also after information about any suspicious behaviour in the area.
Our priority at this time is ensuring the males are safe.
Urgent information can be passed on via 111, referencing job number P067829874.
Other information which may help can be reported via 105, referencing the same job number.
Alternatively you can contact Crime Stoppers, anonymously if necessary, on 0800 555 111 or Crime Stoppers New Zealand
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/10/04/appeal-for-sightings-of-males-who-jumped-in-river/