Jetboat to search for missing motorist

A jetboat was due to scour the river in the Upper Buller Gorge near Murchison at first light today after a motorist was reported missing.

A police spokesman told NZPA tyre burns had been found on State Highway 6 and evidence of a crash. "They found bits of the vehicle down there."

Police had been called at 1.39am today after a motorist had not turned up as expected.

About 4.30 the tyre burns had been found and the crash debris discovered.

The missing motorist is believed to be a Greymouth or Nelson woman.

No further details were immediately available.

- NZPA