Major co-ordinated search fails to find missing fishermen at Lake Arapuni

A major co-ordinated search effort at Lake Arapuni today has so far failed to find any sign of two fishermen who have been missing on the lake for over a week.

Twenty-one year old Jordan Pooley from Tokoroa and 45 year old James Roberts from Putaruru are believed to have set off in a three metre boat from 'Jones Landing' at the northern end of the lake around midday on Sunday 28 August.

The alarm was raised on Wednesday 31 August when a dog belonging to Mr Roberts returned home without him. Police were notified that night and a search of the lake commenced at daybreak the next day.

Over the past week, members of Police staff have been working on the search alongside search and rescue volunteers, Waikato Regional Council harbour master, members of the local community, and friends and family members of the two missing men.

The Taupo Police Area Commander, Inspector Steve Bullock, says the extensive search was taken a step further today, with a major co-ordinated search effort under and on top of the water, on land and in the air.

"The level of Lake Arapuni was lowered by approximately one metre today to allow a more detailed search effort to take place while there was slightly less water in the lake.

"This effort has included the Taupo Youthtown Rescue Helicopter with Police staff on board searching from the air, the Police Dive Squad working under the water, the Waikato Regional Council Harbour Master and Police staff operating from a vessel on top of the water and other search volunteers and friends and family working around the lake edge.

"Sadly, despite an extensive search operation over the past week and this major co-ordinated effort today, there is still no sign of the missing men."

Inspector Bullock says the search team have found two boots and an oilskin vest in the lake over recent days, which Police are confident belong to the missing men.

He says the Police search operation will continue again tomorrow. The Police Dive Squad will also remain at the lake tomorrow, using sonar equipment in their search below the water.

ENDS

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