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Missing Whitebait Fisherman Okarito South Westland
Missing Whitebait Fisherman Okarito, South Westland
Location: Okarito, South Westland
District:
Tasman
A Search & Rescue operation will resume for a missing white bait fisherman this morning at Okarito River Mouth north of Franz Josef.
The missing man is John Karl Snoep, 76 years of age from Christchurch.
Mr. Snoep entered the water to help save two other fisherman who were swept out to sea yesterday.
An off duty police officer was also on the scene and managed to successfully rescue one of the men, the other was rescued by a local man who had a small dinghy however they were unable to locate Mr. Snoep.
If it was not for the courageous actions of those involved in the rescue more lives may have been lost.
Today's search will involve Land Search and Rescue volunteers from Hokitika and South Westland and will focus on the shoreline.
Police would like to remind those fishing on the West Coast this whitebait season not to under estimate the danger of river mouths and the surf.
"Essentially there are no safe beaches on the West Coast and given the remoteness of many white baiting areas, fisherman need to remain vigilant".
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