Missing fisherman's belongings wash up on West Auckland beach

Wednesday, 9 January 2019

Myung Khang went missing after a fishing trip at Bethells Beach.

The belongings of missing fisherman Myung Kang have washed up at a West Auckland beach.

The 57-year-old Korean man went missing at Bethells Beach on Saturday January 5.

It was believed he had been fishing on his own.

Search and Rescue teams, lifeguards and the police helicopter have been searching the wider area to find him since his family reported him missing on Sunday evening.

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Bethells Beach, where Kang was last seen, and O'Neills Bay, are next to each other.

* Search for fisherman missing at Bethells Beach enters third day**

On Wednesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Callum McNeill said police had discovered some of Kang's personal items, including clothing and a fishing bag, on the shore of nearby O'Neills Bay.

'We have also had several people contact us reporting sightings of Mr Kang over the weekend, and based on this evidence, the indications are that he has gone into the water.'

'Sadly, we believe this is now a recovery operation.'

Kang's white 2011 Toyota Prius was found in the carpark at Bethells Beach on Tuesday.

Police also announced the land search for Kang would now be scaled back while aerial searches over the coastline with the police helicopter would continue in the next few days.

'As the public can appreciate this is a very hard time for his family and we are doing all we can to help them and find him,' McNeil said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waitemata Police on 09 839 0697.