Hokitika whitebaiting incident - name release and family statement

Police can now release the name of the girl who was swept into the water at the Hokitika River mouth yesterday.

She was 9-year-old Emily Branje, of Christchurch.

Police continue to search for Emily and are supporting her family at this difficult time.

Statement on behalf of the family of Emily Branje:

We are in shock and grief after receiving the news yesterday about our precious only child, Emily.

Emily had been spending school holidays with extended family in Hokitika.

This is a tragic, incomprehensible time for us and we request privacy while we come to terms with what has happened.

ENDS

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