Police solve mystery of crewless dinghy

South Otago police have solved a mystery over a crewless inflatable dinghy recovered from the Clutha River.

Police chartered a helicopter to check boat ramps in the area for cars and trailers after the 3m-long dinghy with an outboard motor was seen drifting down the river at the Beaumont Bridge about 2.30pm yesterday.

They feared someone may have been tipped out of the boat or that it had slipped its moorings.

Acting Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore, of Balclutha police, told NZPA today the mystery was quickly resolved.

Two men had launched the dinghy near where it was first seen drifting.

"They'd pulled the boat up on to the bank and were away doing something else and the river had risen and the boat drifted off," Mr Whitmore said.

- NZPA