A body found at Karaka Bay is that of a man who went missing in the Hutt River on Thursday, police confirm.
Police at Karaka Bay where a body was found on Saturday. Photo: RNZ / Kate Gudsell
Police recovered the body from the rocks at the bay near Seatoun just after 8am.
A woman who lives in the area, Sue Barnett, said several police cars and about a dozen officers were involved in the operation to retrieve the body.
Police have been searching for the 19-year-old who went missing in the swollen Hutt River several days ago.
He and a friend had gone swimming near Belmont School in Lower Hutt, about 10.30pm on Thursday.
Heavy rain caused the river to peak not long before he went missing with a flow 100 times greater than usual for this time of year. The friend made it out of the water and later helped in the search effort.
The death was being referred to the coroner.
A teenager searches for his friend, who went missing after the pair went swimming in the Hutt River. Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
Karaka Bay, Wellington Photo: RNZ / Kate Gudsell
