New Zealand diver's body recovered

[DandyDon]

Search and Rescue team recovers body of diver in Far North

A 49-year-old went missing on Thursday near Cape Reinga (file photo).


The body of a recreational diver has been recovered off Sandy Bay, Cape Reinga.

The 49-year-old Kaitaia man was reported missing by his dive companion on Thursday evening after he failed to resurface.

Northland police sergeant Sarah Wihongi said Search and Rescue teams arrived at Sandy Bay shortly afterwards.
However, they were unable to conduct a water search due to the darkness.

A full-scale search resumed at first light on Friday.

"This is a tragedy for the man's family and friends, however we are thankful we were able to quickly locate him which will help bring some sort of closure to his family," Wihongi said.

A Coastguard Northern Region spokesman says the organisation was notified by police about 6.30pm on Thursday.

The crew was unable to search at the time due to unfavourable conditions.

Coastguard Northland Air Patrol began an aerial search at 6.45am on Friday, the spokesman said.

The search began from Hooper Point, near Cape Reinga, then along the shoreline from Spirits Bay to Twilight Beach.

After several passes of the area, nothing was spotted, so the search moved offshore from Spirits Bay, to the west of Cape Reinga.

"The search was stood down at 10.28am on Friday after being notified the body had been found by surf lifesaving crews," the spokesman said.

 

[DandyDon]

Update with more information: Diver recovered from ocean off Cape Reinga