Body found in search for swimmer who went missing at Karekare Beach

Tuesday, 28 January 2020

Police searching for a man who went missing after getting into trouble at a swimming hole near Karekare Beach on Auckland's west coast have found a body.

Police were first called to the incident at 3.40pm on Monday.

The search continued into the evening but he could not be located.

A police spokesperson confirmed a body had been found by the Police Dive Squad on Tuesday afternoon.

READ MORE: Man missing, search on at Karekare swimming hole in Auckland

'The man will now need to be formally identified and next-of-kin notified, many of whom are overseas,' the spokesperson said.

'Our thoughts are with the man's family at this difficult time.'

The matter had been referred to the coroner the spokesperson said.

A woman staying nearby said a young Korean man went into the water and disappeared. She was upset and said she'd known the man for a week.

One local woman at Karekare said the police Eagle helicopter was flying above on Monday afternoon, but she understood it could not find a suitable landing place.

On Saturday night, the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was tasked to Orere Point in south Auckland to assist a girl after a non-fatal drowning.

She was flown to Starship Children's Hospital in a critical condition.

On Monday, a person died following a diving incident in Northland.

The diver failed to surface off the coast of Taiharuru, near Whangārei Heads, about 12.25pm on Monday, police said.

They were found dead about 1.20pm.