Whitebaiter search scaled back

A search and rescue operation for a whitebaiter swept out to sea off the South Island's west coast has been scaled back.

Christchurch man John Karl Snoep, 76, went missing after he entered the water to help save two fishermen near the mouth of the Okarito River, north of Franz Josef, about 9am yesterday.

They were hit by a wave and carried downstream and out to sea.

An off-duty police officer managed to rescue one of the men, while the other was rescued by a local with a small dinghy.

The search for Mr Snoep had been scaled back to a limited search, Sergeant Sean Judd said this afternoon.

Land search and rescue teams from Hokitika and South Westland today scoured the shoreline but failed to locate any sign of the missing fisherman, he said.

The Coastguard conducted a two-hour aerial search for Mr Snoep yesterday, but found no sign of him.

Mr Judd praised the courageous actions of those who helped in yesterday's rescue, saying more lives could have been lost.

He warned that river mouths and surf should not be underestimated, and reminded fishermen to be vigilant, given the remoteness of many whitebaiting areas on the West Coast.

- NZPA