Key Takeaways:
- A person and their vehicle are missing after being swept into the Mahurangi River north of Auckland while trying to cross a ford.
- The incident occurred on Wednesday morning during heavy and persistent rain, and the search effort involved about 20 people, including firefighters, police officers, and whitewater rafters.
- The search has been stood down for the day, and police will decide whether to continue on Thursday.
- Residents and officials are warning people to stay safe and be prepared, and to follow the advice of Auckland Emergency Management.
- The missing person is believed to be an employee of a nearby greenhouse specialists company.
Introduction to the Incident
A section of Falls Road near the Mahurangi River is flooded, and a person and their vehicle are missing after being swept into the river while trying to cross a ford. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning, and Fire and Emergency were called to the scene at about 7:51 am. According to Warkworth chief fire officer Nick McLean, the rain had been heavy and persistent in the area, and it is believed that the person and their car were swept away by the river’s strength and high waters.
The Search Effort
The search effort involved about 20 people, including firefighters, police officers, and whitewater rafters. Five whitewater rafts were searching the section of the river from the ford at Mansel Drive to the area around the Mahurangi Hope Church. Drones were also deployed, and a section of Falls Road was closed. A resident near the scene, Dawn Ferguson, said that flood warning signs had been up in the area, and that the crossing can be dangerous, especially when people try to drive straight across the curve in the bridge. Ferguson expressed her devastation at the news of the disappearance, saying that she had lived in the area for nearly 50 years and was familiar with the risks of the crossing.
Official Response and Warnings
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown expressed his alarm at the disappearance and highlighted the importance of staying safe and being prepared. He urged people to listen to Auckland Emergency Management and follow their advice. Police senior sergeant Dean Roberts said that finding the missing man was a priority and that they were staying positive during the search. Roberts also said that the passenger who escaped the vehicle was helping police with their investigation and was okay after being checked by paramedics. Members of the public are advised to avoid the area, and people should pay close attention to weather warnings in place.
Investigation and Support
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. The missing man is believed to be an employee of a nearby greenhouse specialists company, SPL. The passenger who escaped the vehicle is cooperating with the investigation, and police are providing support to the family of the missing man. Roberts said that the family was being kept informed of the search efforts and that police were doing everything they could to locate the missing man.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The search for the missing man has been stood down for the day, and police will decide whether to continue the search on Thursday. In the meantime, residents and officials are warning people to stay safe and be prepared, and to follow the advice of Auckland Emergency Management. The incident highlights the importance of being aware of the risks associated with flooding and fast-moving water, and the need for people to take necessary precautions to stay safe. As the search effort continues, the community is coming together to support the family of the missing man and to raise awareness about the dangers of flooding in the area.