Fisherman swept off rocks

A fisherman was swept off rocks at Anawhata Beach on Auckland's west coast this afternoon.

Surf lifesavers sent three inflatable boats, one from Bethells Beach, the other two from North Piha to search for the man.

Anawhata Beach is about 4km noth of Piha.

Police described the location as Fisherman's Rock Point at Waiatarua and said the man was wearing a blue coat and had a fishing rod with him at the time of his disappearance at around 1.20pm.

Inspector Scott Webb said police, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Surf Rescue teams "searched the area from Anawhata Beach through to Whites Beach for considerable time with no sighting".

- HERALD ONLINE STAFF