Search called off after pair turn up

Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe

An air search mounted when two people in a small inflatable boat did not return after setting out from Glinks Gully on Northland's west coast early yesterday morning was called off when "they turned up out of the blue" in the late afternoon.

The head of police Search and Rescue in Northland, Senior Sergeant Cliff Metcalfe, ordered the air search about 2pm yesterday after locals raised the alarm at the small settlement on Ripiro Beach, west of Te Kopuru.

The people in the inflatable craft had left a vehicle and small boat trailer above the high tide mark between 4.30am and 5am, Mr Metcalfe said.

He said they turned up "out of the blue", safe and well after a day's fishing - and surprised at the fuss they had caused.

Mr Metcalfe said it was crucial people told others of their plans. The fact the two didn't let anyone know, or even leave a note in their vehicle window, had caused unnecessary concern and wasted a lot of money, he said.

The pair had arrived and set up a tent at the local campsite after dark on Monday. Locals heard the vehicle go down to the beach and the boat go out very early in the morning. Although conditions were calm for that stretch of coast yesterday, there were fears for the occupants' safety because of the size and type of boat in unpredictable west coast waters.

The air search between Maunganui Bluff to the north and Pouto Point to the south had not sighted the men before they returned to shore.

Mr Metcalfe said an angry Dargaville Police senior sergeant was on his way to "to have a few words with them".