Snow flurries overhead and choppy water are making search conditions more difficult today for divers trying to find the body of a soldier missing in Lake Moawhango, Waiouru.
It’s been a week today since Private Michael Ross fell overboard from an inflatable boat during an Army training exercise on the lake.
Inspector Steve Mastrovich, Ruapehu Police Area Commander, said members of the Royal New Zealand Navy operational dive team and the Police National Dive Squad are continuing to use sonar equipment in the search. They are supported by crew and a RHIB from the Auckland Police Maritime Unit and from the New Zealand Defence Force.
“The search area of interest has now been reduced to a 150m x 100m zone but at depths of over 40m it is still a very hard and complex task for the divers as they try to identify possible targets,” Inspector Mastrovich said.
“Weather conditions aren’t the best today but the search for Private Ross is still going ahead with no thought of scaling it back at this stage.
“It’s an anxious time for the family and friends of Private Ross as the divers do everything possible to find him and return him to his loved ones.”
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Media contact: Kaye Calder, Public Affairs, PNHQ, tel 04 460 2986 or 027 241 6305