8 Nov 2008

Search suspened for man missing on Grey River

7:20 pm on 8 November 2008

Police say it appears a man who is missing after the canoe he was in capsized on the Grey River, on the South Island West Coast, was not wearing a life jacket.

The 32-year-old man was in the canoe with another adult and three children when it capsized on Saturday.

Local jet boats and Coastguard vessels were used to search the area, as well as Coastguard vessels, along with an aerial search by a rescue helicopter with a specialist swimmer on board.

The search has been suspended until Sunday, when the police dive squad will assist.

Tauranga death

The body of a boatie was found in Tauranga Harbour, near Hunters Creek, on Saturday morning.

The police say alcohol is believed to be a factor in the death of the 65-year-old man, who was the skipper of a 12m launch anchored off Matakana Island overnight.

His death is not being treated as suspicious.