Man missing after dinghy capsize

A 22-year-old Cromwell man is presumed drowned after a dinghy overturned on Lake Te Anau early this morning.

A search was launched about 3.30am, after the man went missing while he and two others were in the dinghy on the lake, Sergeant Tod Hollebon said.

The circumstances were still being investigated, but it appeared the dinghy was taken from the shore by three people who were trying to reach a float plane on a mooring, Mr Hollebon said.

The dinghy became swamped, leaving the three people in the water. Two managed to make it to shore and one was still missing, now presumed drowned, he said.

A helicopter using night vision and a 'night sun' search light, assisted by water craft, searched an area of the lake near the town for more than two hours early this morning.

A submerged dinghy and other items were recovered but the man was not found.

The search was suspended at 5.45am but is expected to resume later today and involve the police dive squad.

- NZPA