Police divers have recovered the body of a 20 year old man who went missing in Lake Pupuke on Auckland's North Shore on New Years Day.
Police received a call at about 9.00pm last night reporting that a man had got into difficulties while swimming in the lake. A younger brother and a friend who were with the man tried to rescue him but he went under the water and disappeared.
The Wellington based dive team located the man's body at 10.00am this morning about 15 minutes after they began their search. Conditions in the lake were murky with heavy vegetation. The body was in the water about 50 metres offshore and eight metres below the surface.
A large number of extended family, relatives and church members were at the lake when the body was recovered. Victim Support is assisting the parents of the deceased. The mother has been taken to North Shore Hospital where she is being treated for shock. The name of the deceased man is:
PAPA / Tevaka aka David
Pacific Island Male - Aged 20 Years
Resident of Mt. Albert - Auckland:
A post mortem examination will be held tomorrow to determine the cause of death. Family members describe the man as being fit and strong. Police say the incident will now be referred to the Coroner for Inquest.
ENDS:
Kevin [Kev] Loughlin
District Communications Manager / Media Advisor
Waitemata Police District
12-14 Northcroft Street - Takapuna - Auckland
Phone 09 488 9758 - Extn 96308
Mobile 027 281 0271
Email - kevin.loughlin@police.govt.nz