Ghostly images of Easy Rider on seabed
UNDERWATER footage of the Easy Rider was released last night as the police-led search for four people still missing was called off.
With the consent of the coroner, police issued the footage of the boat, taken by naval ship Resolution in 40 metres of water near Bishop Islands.
Divers spent most of Saturday looking for signs of crew, but the Easy Rider was empty. The bodies of skipper Rewai Karetai, Paul FowlerKaretai, David George Fowler and Odin Karetai, 7, have yet to be found. The bodies of Boe Gillies, Shane Topi, John Henry Karetai and Peter Bloxham were recovered on Friday.
Area commander Inspector Lane Todd said yesterday that a team stood ready to resume the search if there was any new information. ‘‘It has unfortunately been an emotional rollercoaster . . . for the families. Our focus still remains on bringing the missing home, but clearly as time goes on the situation is looking grave.’’
Police understood search was under way.
Bluff Fisherman’s Radio operator Meri Leask said one boat with family members made a private search yesterday.
Since Thursday, police, search and rescue, the navy, Coastguard, and commercial fishing boats have spent more than 50 hours searching the strait.
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