Police have named the 13-year-old boy missing in the Wairoa River, in northern Hawke's Bay, since yesterday.
Conan Waihi, a Wairoa College student, was playing with friends on the riverbank when he went into the river to retrieve a ball about 5.15pm, Constable Tony Maultsaid said.
About 15m from the riverbank, Conan got into trouble and one of his friends jumped into the river to try to save him.
The friend was able to grab hold of Conan's arm, but could not hold him and he disappeared from view.
A large search of the river failed to turn up any sign of him last night, and the search resumed this morning with the assistance of the police dive squad from Wellington.
Mr Maultsaid said the river was in flood, with 5cm of rain in the past 48 hours.
It was still raining heavily this morning and river visibility was "zero".
A foot search of the riverbank was also being carried out.
- NZPA
Police name missing boy
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
