In the event the plane located by a fishing trawler off the coast of Great Barrier Island this morning was being flown by missing Auckland pilot Daroish Kraidy, Police are in the process of contacting his family and close associates.
Fishermen on board have reported that a body is in the wreckage of the plane which is being transported to a bay near the island. There it will be met by the Police Maritime Unit staff onboard Police launch Deodar, assisted by Harbourmaster staff on a barge which has specialist lifting equipment to recover the aircraft and its contents. From there it will be transported back to Auckland's Marine Rescue Centre later today, weather and sea conditions permitting.
ENDS