Search for swimmer missing at Piha called off

The rescue scene at south Piha yesterday evening. Photo / supplied

The search for a swimmer reported missing off Lion Rock at Piha northwest of Auckland has been called off due to intense weather conditions.

Land and shoreline rescuers have concluded searching for the young man in his 20s, and found nothing.

Now air and sea teams have had to be pulled off the search because of large waves and windy weather.

A police spokeswoman says it's hoped a fixed-wing plane will be able to resume the search later this afternoon.

A search by the police helicopter stopped just after 9 last night.

The man disappeared near Lion Rock just after 6pm last night. A second swimmer needed medical treatment from surf lifesavers. He had minor injuries and wasn't transported to hospital.

Warren Smith, of Piha Surf Life Saving Club, said a swimmer came running up to the club at 5.50pm after beach patrol had finished for the day and alerted them to those in the water.

The club went out in three rescue boats and quickly found one swimmer who needed medical treatment.

This swimmer had been taken out by a rip into a messy three-metre-high surf that angled out to sea to the south-west of Lion Rock.

An on-search involving five boats went on for more than an hour in extreme conditions.

Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, the police Eagle helicopter, Northern Coastguard
were also involved in the search.

Rescue boats had earlier been stood down due to rough conditions and the glare on the water from the low sun.

Fine weather attracted many beach-goers to Piha yesterday.