Hamilton police will today continue to search the Waikato River for a man presumed drowned who was last seen trying to evade them on Saturday night.
Yesterday police divers and a rescue boat crew searched a section of the river a few kilometres south of the city for
Fahad Brahmim Alsalmah, a 25-year-old Saudi national.
Police chased Mr Alsalmah in his car from the Lochiel Golf Course to Narrows bridge shortly before midnight on Saturday when he stopped his vehicle and headed towards the river.
He has not been seen since.
Detective Sergeant Neville Ross of Hamilton CIB said inquiries showed his cellphone and bank account had not been used since Saturday.
"Other inquiries at his home address and with associates have drawn a blank as well," said Mr Ross.
"To that end we are considering the possibility Mr Alsalmah may have drowned in the river."
Mr Alsalmah is described as thin and 185cm tall.
The Waikato River has provided no sanctuary for suspected criminals trying to elude police.
Last June, a 17-year-old boy drowned after he jumped into the Waikato River at Ngaruawahia following a car chase that started in Hamilton.
He was last seen struggling in the cold, fast-flowing waters by his accomplice who was picked up by police shortly afterwards.
In 2005, an alleged burglar drowned after jumping into the river to flee police.
Anyone with information on Mr Alsalmah's whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Ross at Hamilton police on 07 858 6200.
