Body Found Believed To Be Missing Diver
New Zealand Police National News Release
11:21am 9 December 2007

Divers have this morning found a body believed to be that of a woman who went missing while diving off Boom Rock, on Wellington's south west coast yesterday morning.

An expansive marine and aerial search covering 285 sq nautical miles from Mana Island to Karori Rock and across Cook Strait to The Brothers group of islands, had found no sign of the woman yesterday.

This morning as Coastguard vessels, police divers and a police rigid hulled inflatable vessel and helicopter prepared a new search a body was found by friends of the divers who were out looking for her this morning.

Sergeant Jo Holden, Wellington Search and Rescue Coordinator, said the woman was found about 8.30am at a depth of about 21 metres, and not too far from where she was last seen. Police brought the body ashore to Mana to a waiting hearse.

The woman will still have to be formally identified and next of kin advised before her name is released.

It's too early to comment on what might have happened to the diver. Police divers will be researching the sea bed near where the body was found as part of their inquiries into a report that will be prepared for the Coroner.

Coastguard and other private search vessels have now been stood down.

No further comment is available.

Ends

© Scoop Media