Snorkeler missing in Central Hawkes Bay

Pourerere Beach in Central Hawkes Bay. Photo / Julie Baker

The police national dive squad will today search for a snorkeler who went missing from a Hawkes Bay beach.

The 56-year-old Hastings man went missing while snorkelling at Pourerere Beach near Omakere, in Central Hawkes Bay, yesterday afternoon.

Searches on the sea and land yesterday failed to find him. An air search of the area by the Lowe Corporation rescue helicopter was also unsuccessful.

Search coordinator Detective Wayne Steed said the man had been snorkelling with a friend about 500m south of the Pourerere Beach settlement.

He was reported missing about 2.30pm when he became separated from his friend as they swam back to shore.

Mr Steed said the police national dive squad would take part in the search today. The squad was on its way to the beach this morning and would at the beach about midday.

Mr Steed said search and rescue teams from Hawke's Bay were also on their way to assist local searchers.

"Local boaties and fishermen have also been out on the water this morning and they have been a great help to us, he said.

"We are also bringing more people in to the area to boost search numbers."