River swept car away, one missing

Photo / file

Emergency services are continuing to search for a man who was swept away in a tributary of the Upper Grey River this morning.

The man was four-wheel driving with a number of other vehicles, when the vehicle he was in became stranded in the river and he was swept away.

Emergency services were alerted to the scene in the Ikamatua area of the West Coast about 11.30am.

Police spokesman Mike Coulter said a four wheel drive was crossing a swollen river, when the vehicle and passenger were washed down the stream about 11.45am.

"There is a currently a search going on for that person. Emergency services are still in the area searching"

Police Search and Rescue were at the scene and a white water rescue team consisting of five kayaks were on the river searching for the missing man, police said.

A helicopter has also searched the area.

Police said wet weather was causing the river to run high and ground searches were hampered by the difficult terrain.