Man's body found on beach

Police were called when an elderly man's body was found in shallow water at Pilot Bay beach. Photo / John Borren

Shock for beachside strollers at Pilot Bay.

Police converged on Pilot Bay yesterday after the body of an 81-year-old local man washed up.

A member of the public walking on the beach called police after spying the body in the shallows about 10.40am.

An officer pulled the body to shore and the area was cordoned off. A tarpaulin held down with sand and surrounded by cones covered the body.

Roading contractors helped police block off The Mall between Pacific Ave and Grace Ave.

A police photographer was at the scene as officers held up a tarpaulin to shield onlookers' views until undertakers arrived, covered it and placed it on a stretcher.

Michael McMillan, 21, of Mount Maunganui, was skateboarding around Pilot Bay when the first police officer arrived on the beach at the end of Pacific Ave.

A police photographer was at the scene as officers held up a tarpaulin to shield onlookers' views. Photo / John Borren

The elderly man's vehicle was found at Salisbury Wharf.

A post-mortem examination would be done, although police did not believe the death was suspicious.

The man's name was not released yesterday.

Phone Tauranga police on (07) 577 4300 if you were in the Salisbury Wharf or Pilot Bay areas yesterday morning or have information on the death.