Searchers find no trace of diver

Hopes of finding alive a missing diver alive are fading after fruitless and air sea searches of the North Island's west coast today.

The 32-year-old as yet unnamed diver went missing while diving with friends and family at Gannet Island, a popular diving spot 19km off the mainland harbour of Kawhia, near Raglan, about 2.30pm yesterday.

Police said three people on the boat saw the diver surface but he disappeared before they could reach him.

A helicopter and sea search failed to find any sign of him by 7pm.

Rescuers would assess the situation before making a decision on whether to resume the search tomorrow, a Raglan police spokesman said.

- NZPA