Body of missing Alexandra man found

Police dive squad members yesterday recovered the body of a an Alexandra man who disappeared after falling out of a rowing boat into a central Otago lake on Saturday.

Alexander John Smolenski had been rowing on Lake Dunstan, near Cromwell, about 8.30am.

His single-person rowing skiff was later found overturned.

Sergeant Ian Kerrisk, of Alexandra, said the body was recovered about 2.30pm close to where Mr Smolenski's overturned boat was found on Saturday morning.

Mr Smolenski's family had been at the search base all day yesterday and were there when the body was recovered.

Mr Smolenski's sister in-law, Sue Harvey, of Twizel, told the Southland Times it was a very trying time for family members but the quick recovery of the body meant they could begin grieving.

- NZPA