Lake Alexandrina

At 7.00pm last night Police received several calls that a boat had overturned on Lake Alexandrina with four persons on board.

The row boat had tipped over about 5.00pm. It's believed the men were in the water for about 2 hours before three managed to get to shore and the alarm was raised.

The weather at the time was mild but a strong nor wester was blowing across the lake.

A search by local hut owners, a jet boat and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter failed to locate the missing man. One of the survivors was flown to Timaru Hospital suffering from hypothermia.

The search was suspended last night at 11.00pm but has resumed this morning with a jet boat and NZ Land SAR volunteers.

Members of the NZ Police Dive Squad are travelling to Lake Tekapo this morning from Wellington assist in the search.

The missing man is a 59 year old male from Timaru.

None of the persons on the boat were wearing life jackets at the time.

The forecast today is for rain and strong nor west winds

Members of the NZ Police Dive Squad this afternoon recovered the body of Francis Paton Sanders near were he was last seen on Lake Alexandrina.

The matter has been referred to the coroner.

Police would like to thank all the hut owners and visitors and Land SAR Volunteers that assisted in the search last night

ends

© Scoop Media