17 Sep 2017

Search for missing boaties called off for the night

7:20 pm on 17 September 2017

The search for two boaties missing off the West Coast will continue for a third day.

Stormy waves

Stormy surf on the West Coast Photo: ( RNZ/ Tracy Neal )

A light plane spotted debris and a life raft near Jackson Bay yesterday and a helicopter sent to check the area found a man on a rock at Niels Beach about 2.40pm.

There was no sign of his two companions. The man was taken to Greymouth Hospital and his condition is stable.

The police and a helicopter have been searching the rugged coastline again today for the two others, but they have still not located them.

The search has been called for the night, but officers say they plan to resume it again tomorrow morning.