By ALISON HORWOOD
A hit-and-run driver knocked two boys from their bikes and over a bridge railing to fall 10 metres into the murky Whanganui River.
Police divers will resume searching today for the bodies of schoolmates Colin Andrew Morgan, aged 14, and Zane Lee Richard Cutter, 13.
The pair - best friends who both attended Wanganui City College - raced home from school on Thursday and biked to South Beach for a swim.
Just after 9 pm, as their families began to wonder why they had not returned, a motorist reported a crumpled bike at the side of Cobham Bridge on State Highway 3.
A search of the riverbanks revealed schoolbooks and shoes belonging to the boys.
Yesterday afternoon, divers recovered a second bicycle from the river, but no bodies were found.
Senior Sergeant Mike Wilson told the Weekend Herald that the river was not particularly fast-moving, but the search had been difficult because of poor visibility.
"The divers are doing their best, but it is hard to see anything and they are basically feeling around with their hands."
He said the boys were probably knocked into the river from the bridge by the impact of a car hitting them from behind.
Yesterday afternoon, police received a tip which led them to a damaged four-wheel-drive vehicle. Late last night, it was still being scientifically examined.
A 63-year-old man is due to appear in the Wanganui District Court today or on Monday charged with failing to ascertain injury after an accident. Further charges may follow. Zane's mother, Michelle Cutter, and his grandmother and stepfather were among friends and family of the boys who watched police divers search the river under the bridge yesterday.
Ms Cutter said the waiting was hard. "I feel horrible not knowing ... I feel sick."
A driver from Wanganui Taxis was one of the last people to see the two boys alive.
As he was driving across Cobham Bridge between 8.30 and 9 pm, he saw two boys ahead of him, riding their bikes abreast.
"I pulled behind them because I saw another car coming from the other direction, and they were taking up half the road."
The taxi driver, who did not wish to be identified, said he eventually passed the boys, and it was then that they began to ride in single file.
He said they were not wearing helmets. The light was beginning to fade, but they did not appear to have their cycle lights on.
Cobham Bridge is classified as a motorway and is therefore not deemed suitable for pedestrians and cyclists.
Boys die in hit-and-run
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