Hutt Valley Police say a fantastic response from the public and the news media has been pivotal in identifying a critically ill man rescued from the sea at Eastbourne on Monday.
Earlier today, Police took the unsual step of publsihing the man's photo in the hope someone could identify him after all other inquiries were unsuccessful.
"Thanks to the excellent public response and the great coverage provided by the news media following release of the photo, the man has now been identified as an Indian national in his 20s studying in New Zealand. With the assistance of an interpreter, we are now in the process of contacting his family in India," says Detective Sergeant Grant Carroll of Hutt Valley CIB.
Mr Carroll says the breakthrough came after a New Zealand man recognised the man's photo on New Zealand news websites while attending a conference in Sri Lanka and contacted Police. From there, officers were able to establish his identity and confirm it through official channels.
Mr Carroll said the man, who is still fighting for his life in Wellington Hospital, wouldn't be named until the appropriate notifications had been made.
"Again, we thank the community and the news media who have provided the key in unlocking the mystery to this man's identity, so we can now talk with his family and provide support for them as they come to terms with what has happened."
ENDS
Media contact: Police after hours media pager, ph 026 101 082.