The Police National Dive Squad will assist tomorrow with the search of a boy missing in the Whakatane River.
At approximately 6pm this evening the 13-year-old local boy was playing with friends around the base of the Whakatane Bridge. He was standing on a concrete step and was seen to fall backwards approximately one metre into the water and didn’t resurface.
Friends contacted the Police and a search and rescue operation was immediately initiated. Coastguard took to the water and LandSAR personnel searched the shoreline. The Harbourmaster also provided assistance.
The water search has stood down for the night but the LandSAR team will continue to keep observations on the area throughout the night. They will be joined by police divers in the morning.
Family have been notified and Victim Support has been put in place. The name of the boy will not be released at this stage.
There will be no further police comment tonight.