Search continues for elderly rower presumed drowned

Police are continuing their search this morning for an elderly man who is missing, presumed drowned, after his single scull capsized in the Whanganui River last night.

Police were called to the Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club, just north of the city's railway bridge, to help search for the 75-year-old man about 5pm.

"Two college students attempted to assist the capsized rower, but were unable to rescue him," said acting-Senior Sergeant Darcy Forrester of the Wanganui police search and rescue team.

"He is presumed to have drowned."

The police national dive squad is expected to arrive in Wanganui about midday today to help search the river in the area where the man was last seen.

The dive squad yesterday recovered the body of missing Christchurch diver Stephen John Sintes.

Mr Sintes, 41, failed to surface following a dive near Motunau Island, 1km off Motunau Beach, 70km north of Christchurch, at 7.30am on Sunday.

Mr Forrester said police were not able to release any more details of the Wanganui man yet.

"Local iwi ask that people respect the rahui (quarantine) that has now been placed on the Whanganui River in the area of the Aramoho railway bridge," he said.

- NZPA