13 Jan 2020

Search for missing kayaker at Lake Ellesmere halted

8:20 am on 13 January 2020

Police are calling off the search for a kayaker missing at Lake Ellesmere since Saturday, until tomorrow.

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand’s fifth largest lake, its largest coastal lagoon, and an internationally recognised wetland.

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand's fifth largest lake, its largest coastal lagoon, and an internationally recognised wetland. Photo: Robin Smith/DOC

Police, helicopters and Surf Life Saving crews have been searching for the man at the lake south of Christchurch since about midday on Saturday.

Despite finding his kayak just a few hours later, they turned up no sign of him on the weekend.

Police said the search would not resume today after an assessment of the circumstances and the search effort over the past two days.

A further search was planned for tomorrow, supported by Coastguard volunteers and a helicopter, they said.

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