Wednesday, 12 January 2011 - 10:40am |
National News

Body found in Lake Okareka search

1 min read

A body believed to be that of missing jet skier 17 year old Bishop Thompson has been found at Lake Okareka, near Rotorua.

The Rotorua Police Acting Area Commander, Senior Sergeant Ed van den Broek, said officers advised Bishop's family at the lake this morning of the find.

"This has been a very distressing time for Bishop's family and friends, many of whom have been at the lake since Saturday afternoon. We are giving them every support we can."

Although Bishop's body has yet to be formally identified, police are confident it is that of Bishop.

He was found in the extended search zone using Navy sonar equipment, the data of which was analysed late last night. Navy personnel dived on the spot this morning and found the body just before 9am in 30m of water.

Police divers are now recovering the body are bringing him ashore. There will be a karakia before the body is taken to Rotorua mortuary and then to Auckland for a post mortem.

Senior Sergeant van den Broek said police have yet to complete inquiries into how the two jet skies crashed.

No other details are available at this stage.

Ends

Kaye Calder
Police Public Affairs
04 460 2986 or 027 241 6305