Police resume search for missing driver swept away in Mahurangi River flood
The search for a man whose car was swept downstream by a flooded Auckland river has resumed, with search crews bringing in extra resources to try and locate the driver in receded waters.
The Herald understands the man is a migrant worker in his 40s, originally from Kiribati, who moved to New Zealand with his wife and four children in 2023.
Just before 8am on Wednesday, a vehicle was swept downstream at a Mahurangi River crossing on Falls Rd, near the intersection with Woodcocks Rd, in Warkworth.
While a passenger managed to escape the vehicle and alert authorities, the driver was swept away.
The vehicle and its driver remain unaccounted for, despite a police-led operation that is now in its third day.
Water levels have subsided overnight, allowing for additional resources to be brought into the area, Waitematā North Police Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie said.
Police Search and Rescue, along with 17 Land Search and Rescue members, a water rescue crew from Fire and Emergency and a police drone, will be carrying out ground-based and aerial searches along the riverbanks today.
“We thank all other agencies who have been called upon in recent days for their assistance,” Fowlie said.
“Everyone involved in this operation is focused on locating the man on behalf of his family.”
Police acknowledge ‘complicated’ search operation
Yesterday, Fowlie said night-shift frontline staff conducting checks in the area overnight were unable to find the missing man.
“We acknowledge they must be going through a very uncertain and upsetting time while he remains missing. Our thoughts are with them,” Fowlie said.
Amid heavy rain on Wednesday, Senior Sergeant Dean Roberts told the Herald that, while finding the person was vital, the safety of emergency service staff was paramount.
“We need to keep our staff safe, but we also need to appreciate the type of work we’re doing out here and know the risk.”
He said multiple resources were used in the initial search before it was suspended ahead of nightfall.
“We’re using a lot of people just on the ground, but we also have the ability from our partner agencies, we’ve utilised drones just to assist with aerial.
“The weather’s been a bit complicated for us, by using other resources, but we’re continuously reviewing it and trying to get as much as we can here.”
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