Hunt for kayakers set to be called off

A search for eight people reportedly seen in heavy seas on a dinghy and kayaks off the Otago coast yesterday is likely to be called off this afternoon, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre says.

An eyewitness reported seeing the group of four kayaks and four people in a rubber dinghy head out about midday yesterday at Kaka Point, 23km southeast of Balclutha .

Conditions were poor with strong winds and a heavy swell.

Air and sea searches last night and a helicopter search this morning failed to turn up any sign of the group.

The centre would hold a debrief shortly and was looking at making a recommendation to suspend the search "unless anything new comes up", spokesman Ross Henderson said

Anyone who knew of the group in question was urged to contact police.

- NZPA