Police divers are on stand-by to join the search for a Dunedin 16-year-old, missing presumed drowned in the Clutha River.
The youth was swimming with a friend 2km below the Roxburgh dam yesterday when he was swept away by strong currents about 3pm.
A police dive squad leader
called in from Wellington was this morning assessing the safety of the river ahead of calling in the rest of the team to help.
In the meantime, about 20 people are continuing to search the riverbanks and the river itself from boats and jet skis. Aerial sweeps are also being made.
Contact Energy yesterday reduced the river flow to lower its level and help searchers see more easily among the willows which line the riverbanks.
Generation manager Graham Quinn said the river flow was returned to normal overnight but was lowered again this morning when the search resumed.
Lowering the river level resulted in Lake Roxburgh rising above its maximum permitted level.
This was given the go-ahead after discussion with the Otago Regional Council, which governs the river.
Senior Sergeant Mike Cook, of Alexandra police, said the missing youth was in the area for fruitpicking work and had family in the area.
It was a huge tragedy for them but they were being realistic about it, he said.
- NZPA
