Whitebaiter Missing on West Coast – Coastguard Kaikour Air Patrol Search

24th October 2010 Coastguard Kaikoura Air Patrol were requested by Police to conduct an air search for a Whitebaiter who went missing after attempting to assist two others who were washed offshore but recovered by boat.  Departing Kaikoura at 12.49 pm they arrived off the Okarito Lagoon south of Hokitika and commenced a search of the Tasman Sea along the coast at 2.15pm  completing a comprehensive search along the coast and out to sea at 4pm.  Aboard were two pilots and 4 observers trained in search techniques.  Unfortunately no sign of the missing man was found and the Police stood the aircraft search down, and they returned to Kaikoura after refueling.  The crew are saddened that they were unable to locate this person and express their sympathy to the family.