Ōhope search suspended, rāhui in place for man who swam from police

• Friends and family are waiting near Port Ōhope for news of a man who went missing after swimming away from police during a chase.
• Police and the dive squad have been searching after the 48-year-old Whakatāne man fled into the harbour.
• A rāhui is in place and holidaymakers are urged to avoid the water during the ongoing search.

The search for a man who swam away from police during a chase has been stood down for today as a rāhui has been placed over the water where he vanished.

Earlier, his family were gathered near the Port Ōhope wharf to assist in searching for their loved one.

Holidaymakers have been urged to keep away from the water while police and the dive squad continued their search.

Police responded to a family harm-related incident at Ōhope Beach about 6pm yesterday, Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said.

“When officers arrived, the alleged offender — a 48-year-old Whakatāne man — ran away and jumped into the harbour.

“Officers engaged with him and attempted to get him to come out of the water but he refused, continuing to walk away from them.

Police today continued searching for a man who swam away from officers near Ōhope about 6pm yesterday. Photo / Alanah Eriksen

“When the man started swimming further away and against the outgoing tide, members of the public who were nearby sourced paddleboards, kayaks and a boat and went to assist, but the man was not located.”

This afternoon, two inflatable rescue boats were seen from the shore circling the moored boats and two police cars were on the beach.

Wharfside, a company that hires out kayaks and paddleboards, ceased trading and was only serving coffee and snacks.

Earlier, police said the search for the man would continue today with the assistance of the Police National Dive Squad.