Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Palmerston North Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Ward:
A water search and rescue operation is currently underway in Palmerston North.
At around 11.20pm last night, Police were called with a report that various personal items appeared to have been abandoned in a suspicious manner on Albert Street.
Police responded and found the items which led them down to the Manawatū River, where a man could be seen in the water.
Officers made voice appeals to the man, in an attempt to get him to come back to land, however he disappeared under the water.
Police Search and Rescue and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, attempted to locate the man, but had no luck.
Due to the rough terrain of the river and limited visibility, emergency services were stood down around 1.30am today.
The search recommenced at first light today and involves Police Search and Rescue, Land Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Swiftwater Rescue, and use of the LandSAR boat and drones, to assist searching the Manawatū River.
The community can expect to see an increased Police and emergency services presence in the Albert Street area while the search is ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
