Location: Lake Pupuke, Tapapuna, Auckland City
District: Auckland City

Missing Diver Located

Police have located the body of a diver missing in Lake Pupuke.

Navy specialists joined the Police National Dive team at dawn this morning to continue their search of the lake for the missing diver.

At 9.00am on Sunday 17 July 2011 the body of the missing diver was located in deep water at a depth of 53 metres, about 100 metres from the shore on the southern side of the lake. Specialist sonar equipment was used in the search.

Police have released the name of the deceased diver He is:

STONEHAM/ Daniel Waata
Aged 33 years
Resident of South Auckland

The body has been taken to Auckland Mortuary where an autopsy will be carried out tomorrow. Police express their condolences and sympathy to the families and friends of the two deceased divers. The families do not wish to make any comment to media and request that they be given total privacy so that they can grieve over their loss.

Police thank the local residents living nearby, those persons who are collectively associated with the Pumphouse Theatre complex, Reverend Jason Rhodes of the Anglican Church, and the management of the local Dive shop for their involvement and assistance.

Police enquiries into this tragic event will continue. No further comment will be made by Police from hereon.

ENDS:

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