Update Tuesday 11th, 7.30am:
Search and rescue teams will not be resuming their search for a woman who disappeared after reportedly jumping off Raglan’s Wainui Bridge.
The physical search for the woman has been called off because rescuers believe they would have found her by now. But Raglan Police are still seeking a male pedestrian who may hold the key in solving the mystery of if a woman, believed to have jumped from a bridge in Raglan, left the water unseen or is still missing?
Area Tactical Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Kent Holdsworth, said a search had commenced last night after a member of the public advised a woman was thought to have jumped from the Opotoru Bridge on Wainui Road into the water at Raglan about 9.47pm on Sunday.
“She was seen to be walking across the bridge when a grey sedan stopped beside her and what appears to have been a verbal argument has developed.
“The car drove off and the woman was seen to jump but not resurface. The car has returned to the bridge and stopped at the southern end for about five minutes but we don’t know if the woman got into the car which was seen travelling with two people in it.”
An overnight search by Raglan Police, Coast Guard, Surf Life Saving and Search and Rescue staff and volunteers of the water and surrounding land did not locate the woman.
“We reassessed the situation at first light and the search resumed, the key things for us were we still didn’t know who the woman was or whether she had exited the water and we still hadn’t identified or spoken to the driver of the grey sedan and the situation remains the same this evening.
“We have however, identified a person we would like to speak to who may be able to offer some clarity into what has occurred and we’re asking for that person to contact us.”
Mr Holdsworth said Police would like to speak to a male pedestrian walking towards the beach from Raglan township who was seen to run over to the side of the bridge where the woman jumped from and was seen to resume walking towards the town about 30 sec later.
“It may be that this man saw the woman surface and make her way to shore, if that is the case, or even if he didn’t see anything we would still like to speak to him.
“Our investigations are simply concerned with the welfare of the woman, after a comprehensive land and water search and an extensive area canvas of persons of interest we are still no closer to identifying who this woman is and if she is ok.”
Mr Holdsworth said Police urge the mystery pedestrian or anyone else who knows the identity of the persons involved or who knows who the occupants of the car were to contact Raglan Police on 07 825 8200.
Alternatively information can be left on Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police Media Release: January 9, 2012, 5:17 pm