Vic psychiatric detainee on run for 3 days

A man who absconded from a Victorian psychiatric centre by leaping into a river on an outing and swimming away could be near Echuca.

Darren Higgins, 25, has been on the run since jumping into the Murray River near Mathoura on Friday night and swimming to the opposite bank.

He was last sighted disappearing into the Barmah Forest.

Police say he was on accompanied weekend leave at the time from Vahland House in Bendigo.

An extensive search on Saturday failed to find Higgins, who was wearing black tracksuit pants and a white T-shirt.

Echuca police were looking for him there on Monday as he may have a local connection.

Barmah Forest is more than 28000 hectares of mostly river red gum forest, with numerous walking tracks, swimming and fishing areas.

Higgins was serving a 12-month treatment order for assault and property offences. Police have advised the public not to approach him.

Vahland House looks after people with severe behavioural issues and provides rehabilitation programs for the patients.