Police name two men still missing in Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo. File photo / Simon Louisson

Police have named the two men they are still searching for on Lake Tekapo, after a fishing trip went terribly wrong.

They are Anthony Haywood, 46, and Murray Green, 54, both of Timaru.

Police have already recovered the body of Alexander Haywood, 72, of Pleasant Point.

Constable Brent Swanson said Mr Haywood's body was found near Motuariki Island in the South Canterbury lake.

The trio went out fishing at 11am yesterday.

When the group did not return, a family member went searching for them, and emergency services were contacted about 10.30pm, Constable Swanson said.

An Iroquois helicopter from a nearby military camp, began searching and discovered their submerged boat about 3.30am, police said.

Mr Swanson said the helicopter crew used night vision equipment to find the boat.

The boat was about 50m offshore from the entrance of the Cass River, about halfway up the lake on the western side.

There was no sign of the occupants.

Maritime New Zealand and a Canterbury Air Rescue helicopter have joined the search, involving 20 Land Search and Rescue personnel.

At least two dozen boat owners gathered at Tekapo police station ready to help this morning.

- NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF

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