14 Nov 2008

Diver's body found in net

4:46 pm on 14 November 2008

The body of a diver missing off the coast of Timaru has been discovered, a day after a search for him was called off.

Kevin Bailey, 63, was reported missing on Monday afternoon by two companions while diving at the Holmglen wreck.

Sergeant Paul Scoble says Mr Bailey's body was discovered on Thursday when it became caught in a trawler's net.

Mr Scoble says the death has been referred to the coroner.

Meanwhile, the search for a 16-year-old who went missing while swimming in the Clutha River in central Otago on Tuesday has been scaled back.

Senior Sergeant Mike Cook says the teenager is presumed drowned, and daily sweeps of the river will continue in the hope of recovering his body.

And a search is under way for a hunter missing in rugged hills behind Thames.

Nigel Cross, 39, went into the bush on Thursday night but failed to make a later dinner appointment.

Six ground parties and a police helicopter are searching for him.

Police say Mr Cross has a good knowledge of the area but they would have expected him out on Friday morning.

Seregant Phil Bell says concerns are held for Mr Cross because if injured and conscious he would have fired three shots to raise the alarm.

Mr Bell says searchers are working through dense bush.