7 Jan 2009

Diver safe off Canterbury coast

1:42 pm on 7 January 2009

A diver feared missing off the Canterbury coast north of Christchurch has been found.

The search began on Wednesday afternoon after an emergency flare was let off from a small fishing boat.

The person on board the boat was concerned the diver had not resurfaced near the boat, which had suffered mechanical problems and was drifting.

Searchers towed the boat into shore, and the diver was spotted by the rescue helicopter crew a short time later.