Maruia Falls accident: Body found

Photo / Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter

The body of the 55-year-old man has been found at Maruia Falls by the police dive squad.

The man had been missing since he and a friend were sucked down a chute at the falls on Saturday.

The friend, also aged 55, was rescued and flown to Nelson Hospital, where he was in a stable condition today.

The falls, south of Murchison, were the scene of another rescue last week, TV3 reported.

A Belgian tourist was pulled out of the water by three kayakers.

He was taken to Nelson Hospital with head, neck and spinal injuries, and later transferred to Burwood Spinal Unit.