Man goes missing in Lake Wanaka while swimming to drifting boat

A man is missing in Lake Wanaka after swimming from an island to retrieve a drifting boat.

Police Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell says emergency services, Wanaka Search and Rescue and Coastguard were notified when a man disappeared while swimming in the lake at midday today.

The man was on Stevensons Island when he swam out to retrieve a drifting boat but then got into trouble, Mr Grindell said.

Another person swam out to help him but that person wasn’t able to locate him. 

The Police National Dive Squad will arrive at Wanaka around midday tomorrow to assist with the search, Mr Grindell said.