Man missing after police pursuit plunge

A man is missing after jumping into the Waikato River to avoid arrest.

Police are confident a man who leapt into the Waikato River to avoid police in Cambridge last night made it to shore.

The man jumped into the river after failing to stop his hatchback for police about 11.30pm.

Western Waikato Area Commander Inspector Paul Carpenter said that as police divers searched the notoriously difficult part of the river where the man went in, the registered owner of the vehicle was being spoken to.

"We've spoken [by phone] to the 40-year-old male owner and asked to meet with him but he has refused."

The lack of co-operation placed police in a difficult situation in that a search of the river, in a stretch of water signposted as unsafe for swimming, still had to be carried out so they could be sure anyone else who might have been driving the car wasn't still in the water, Mr Carpenter said.

"Speaking to members of our National Police Dive Squad, they've described conditions in the river as treacherous, with a fast current, plenty of debris and very little ability to see," he said.

"They pointed out a fully submerged car not far from where the man jumped into the river, as well as logs, rocks and a whole assortment of rubbish built up over the years."

A police spokesman told NZPA the search was stopped about 2.30pm, with the divers confident they would have found any body in the water.

"Given the car owner's lack of co-operation, police are now having to factor into the equation the possibility the driver may have made his way out of the river undetected," Mr Carpenter said.

"Subsequently we're now asking for any sightings of the man's car, a 1991 blue Fiat Tipo DGT, registration number RD5157 at or around 11.20pm yesterday and also for any sightings of a male seen dripping wet in the Cambridge area late last night."

Anyone with information was asked to contact Cambridge police on 07 8275531.

Alternatively, information can be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers crimeline, 0800 555111.

- NZPA