Missing swimmer to be charged

Hamilton police are to charge an intoxicated woman who sparked a massive search after disappearing when she tried to swim across the Waikato River early yesterday with disorderly behaviour.

Senior Sergeant Graham Shields said police staff including a boat crew along with friends of the woman began searching for her at 2am after she went missing while swimming.

The 27-year-old from Hamilton was found safe and well about 7am.

Mr Shields said the woman tried to swim across to the Waipa delta boat jetty on the other side of the river but was swept away by the strong current.

Mr Shields said he did not know how she got out of the river but it was believed she had been taken back to her home at 4am and nobody told the police.

"Staff had been looking for her all night. We wasted a lot of time and resources."

The woman will be summonsed to appear at court later this month on a charge of disorderly behaviour.

- NZPA