2 Jul 2015

Man overboard near Lyttelton Harbour

8:51 pm on 2 July 2015

Police are investigating how a sailor fell from his ship off Lyttelton Harbour today.

Lyttelton Harbour

Lyttelton Harbour Photo: 123rf

The 52-year-old Filipino has not been seen since falling from the container ship Medinah just after 1pm.

A search by sea and air, at one point involving a helicopter and 16 boats, was suspended at about 5pm because of failing light.

The police said it was still unclear why the man fell but they believe he was preparing the ship for the arrival of a pilot boat outside the harbour entrance.