Serious concerns for man missing in Lyttleton Harbour

Police say they now hold serious concerns for a man who went missing while trying to swim across Christchurch's Lyttelton Harbour yesterday afternoon.

A police spokesman said that 46-year-old Graham White walked/swum across the mudflats to Quail Island in the harbour yesterday to help with a tree planting project.

He later decided to swim the channel at high tide from Quail Island to Moepuku Point, a distance of 500m.

He used a small dinghy for flotation and to carry his personal possessions.

The dinghy and personal items were found ashore.

Police and Coastguard conducted a search of the inner harbour until 8.30pm yesterday and resumed at light today but failed to locate Mr White.

Police appealed to anyone with any information about Mr White to contact them.

"There are now serious concerns for his safety."

- NZPA