Search for jetskier

HAMILTON: Family members, friends and members of the public were scouring the Waikato River yesterday on foot and by boat yesterday, desperately trying to find Calvin Harimate, who has not been seen since he fell off the back of a jetski near Port Waikato on Saturday night.

Niece Alessea Herrick said her uncle had been jetskiing on the river just down from the Tuakau Bridge with about five friends about 8pm on Saturday.

The father of one was riding on the back of a jetski, when the driver did a sharp turn and Mr Karimate fell into the water.

By the time the driver turned around to collect Mr Harimate he had disappeared and night was falling, she said.

Police found the 46yearold’s life jacket.

The devastated family had posted messages on social media asking people to help in the search.

Along with more than a dozen family members on jetskis or searching the river bank on quad bikes or on foot, several members of the public were also assisting, one person taking out a barge and a couple searching in a boat.

At this stage his family planned to keep searching for him until he was found, Ms Herrick said.

Mr Harimate was an experienced jetskier and swimmer, she said. It is understood he had been wearing a life jacket, but it must have fallen off when he hit the water.

The search was focused on the area of the river between Onewhero/Tuakau Bridge Rd and the mouth of Port Waikato.

A police media spokesman said a coastguard search was conducted yesterday but nothing was found. LandSAR and a police RIB (rigid inflatable boat) were also involved at the scene. — Hamilton News