As put by Duty Inspector Phil Edwards:
Police in the Ōpōtiki area are appealing to the public to locate two males who failed to stop for officers this morning before jumping in the river.
Around 3:45am, the driver of a vehicle ran a red light in the Wainui area and failed to stop for Police when signalled .
Road spikes were successfully deployed about 10km from Ōpōtiki shortly after 4am, before the vehicle came to a stop down Snell Road, by the Otara River.
The two occupants have then got out of the vehicle and jumped into the water.
A search and rescue operation was launched, with assistance from the Harbourmaster, Coastguard Ōpōtiki, and a rescue helicopter, but the two males have not been located.
Police Search and Rescue staff are continuing the search this morning, and are appealing to the public for help.
