A car and person that went missing after crashing into the Waioeka River on Friday are still unaccounted for despite police efforts.

Search and rescue teams, including a boat, helicopter and Coastguard jet skis, continued the river and riverbank sweeps on Friday," Acting Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander, Senior Sergeant Richard Miller said.

The car went off the road at 10.20am on Friday between Waioeka Pa Rd and Waiata Rd, with two people taken to Whakatane Hospital. 

The car went missing south of the Tauranga Bridge. Photo / Laura Smith

A Motu River Jet boat from Ōpōtiki had been assisting with the search each morning and monitoring the depth and clarity of the water, according to Miller.

. Police Search and rescue and the national dive squad will deploy as soon as conditions permit. 

 "Rain in the headwaters of the Opato and Waioweka has kept the river levels high, making it unsafe to enter the river," he said.

The Waioeka River. Photo / file

Police ask that anyone considering private search parties refrain from doing so due to the dangerous conditions.

"Rescue agencies remain committed to returning their loved one to whānau as soon as possible."