Search for fisherman feared missing in sea off Raglan to continue tomorrow

Searchers are looking on the shore and from the air for a fisherman believed to be in the water off the Raglan coast. Photo / File

A search for the man feared to have been washed into the sea from Ruapuke Rocks in Raglan will continue tomorrow morning, police say.

The search will focus on the area where the man was last seen struggling in the water around 11.15am.

Searchers scoured the western Waikato shoreline today while a helicopter mounted an aerial survey.

The man was fishing near Papanui Pt when he was swamped by a large wave.

A coastguard vessel and two jetskis were in the water and an Auckland-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was in the air looking for the lost fisherman.

A police spokeswoman said eyewitnesses reported a fisherman was seen on land before he was washed into the water.

Police, Coastguard and search and rescue teams have been searching the area with the help of a helicopter, a small plane and a jetski.

Anyone who was in the area at the time, saw the fisherman or has any information that might help, is asked to call Sergeant Vince Ranger at the Hamilton Central Police Station on (07) 858 6200.

Can you help? Contact: Hamilton Police: 07-858 6200