Fed: Conditions hamper rescuers bid to reach upturned kayak

AAP General News (Australia)
02-10-2007
Fed: Conditions hamper rescuers bid to reach upturned kayak

Fading light and choppy seas have prevented the crew of a rescue helicopter from winching
down to the site where Australian paddler ANDREW MCAULEY is believed to have gone missing.

Rescuers say there's no sign of Mr MCAULEY .. but rescuers are now trying in an inflatable
dinghy launched from a cruise ship .. to reach the upturned vessel .. that a plane spotted
earlier.

A New Zealand Air Force plane saw .. what is believed to have been the Australian's
upturned kayak .. this afternoon 75 kilometres west of Milford Sound on New Zealand's
south island.

Mr MCAULEY had been expected to arrive in Milford Sound tomorrow .. after departing
Fortescue Bay in Tasmania on January 11.

Concerns about his safety emerged overnight .. when a garbled message was monitored
in New Zealand on the maritime distress channel 16.


(Re-issuing .. adding in 2nd par that dighy was launched from cruiseship)



AAP RTV sk/wz

KEYWORD: NZ KAYAK AUST (SYDNEY)

2007 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.