Search for man missing off Auckland's Bethells Beach continues

Friday, 22 March 2019

Search efforts for a man who was swept away from Auckland's Bethells Beach on Thursday afternoon are continuing.

The 34-year-old man got caught in a rip with his partner and a child, Waitematā police Detective Senior Sergeant Roger Small said.

The woman and child managed to get back to the beach but he did not.

On Saturday, a police spokesman said the man had not yet been located.

'The search effort is continuing,' he said.

'A land-based search will continue along the shoreline, with the police Eagle helicopter to assist with air-based searches later in the day.'

Small said police are providing the man's family with support.

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesman Lincoln Davies said a crew was sent to the beach at 5.25pm on Thursday to assist in the search.

However, the person could not be located and the helicopter was sent back to base.

The helicopter was not retasked to the beach on Friday, Davies said.