Missing five-year-old found dead on mudflats

The mudflats in the Waitemata Harbour off Luckens Reserve. File photo / Martin Sykes

Police have recovered the body of a 5-year-old boy who was reported missing earlier this afternoon from an Auckland reserve.

Police, including search and rescue staff and the police Eagle helicopter went to Luckens Reserve, West Harbour this afternoon.

Eagle staff spotted the boy on a mudflat near the West Harbour Marina and a crew member flown in on the helicopter skid recovered the boy from the mud, police said.

Ambulance staff examined the boy but he had died.

Police and victim support were with the boy's distraught family who were at the scene helping with the search.