A jetboat was due to scour the river in the Upper Buller Gorge near Murchison at first light today after a motorist was reported missing.
A police spokesman told NZPA tyre burns had been found on State Highway 6 and evidence of a crash. "They found bits of the vehicle
down there."
Police had been called at 1.39am today after a motorist had not turned up as expected.
About 4.30 the tyre burns had been found and the crash debris discovered.
The missing motorist is believed to be a Greymouth or Nelson woman.
No further details were immediately available.
- NZPA