Body found in search for woman who fell into sea at Te Waha Point, West Auckland

Tuesday, 29 October 2019

Police search and rescue have recovered the body of a missing woman on Whites beach, near Piha, on Auckland's west coast.

A body has been found in the search for a woman who went missing in the water at a West Auckland beach.

Police Search and Rescue officer Garry Learmonth said the body of a woman, possibly in her 30s, was recovered on Piha Beach about 8.15am on Tuesday.

The woman fell into the water about 7.20pm on Monday.

The Police Search and Rescue team were at Piha beach on Tuesday morning, where the body of a woman has been found.

A family member attempted to save her, but was moderately injured and could not complete the rescue, police said.

Learmonth said the police Eagle helicopter spotted the body on the beach shortly after his team of six arrived to resume the search.

'We recovered her body, the tide was coming in so we got her out and have handed her over to local staff and the funeral director to take back to hospital.'

Sea conditions overnight were rough, with southwest swells rising to three metres, according to MetService.

The body was spotted on Piha beach by the police Eagle helicopter on Tuesday morning.

Surf Life Saving media spokeswoman Melanie Louden said volunteer lifeguards from United Piha Surf Life Saving Club were called to help emergency services search for the woman on Monday night before it got dark.

A full investigation is being conducted to find out what happened, she said.

'Our thoughts are with the woman's family and friends at this time.'

A Stuff reporter at Piha Beach said two police cars, including a Police Search and Rescue vehicle, were at the scene at 10am after the body was recovered.

Formal identification of the body is yet to take place.