Snorkeller missing at Manuka Beach, Canterbury, found dead: Police Dive Squad pull body from water

Police have found the body of a missing snorkeller in Canterbury after an extensive search of the area around Manuka Beach, Hurunui.

He was a 52-year-old local to the area near Domett, a small town off State Highway 1 and south of Cheviot.

Police were called to the beach about 2pm yesterday when the man didn’t return to the shore.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter searched the area and police scoured the shoreline.

This morning, the search continued. Police’s National Dive Squad began searching the water with help from Surf Life Saving.

Searches found the man’s body about 3pm.

Incident controller Detective Zeb Harland said, “We would like to thank everyone who has assisted with the search.

“Our thoughts are with the diver’s family, who police are providing with support at this tragic time.”

Police have referred the man’s death to the coroner.

Local iwi have placed a rāhui on the northern end of Manuka Beach for a week.