12 Jan 2009

Pig hunter's body found

8:42 pm on 12 January 2009

Searchers have found the body of a missing pig hunter.

Martin Duff, 60, also known as Darky Duff, of Tokaanu, went pig-hunting on horseback on Wednesday in bush between National Park and Turangi.

He was due to return the following day but failed to do so, and concerned friends and family searched his usual hunting spots before alerting police.

Police say a search and rescue effort involving about 30 people was launched, and Mr Duff's body was found in a three-metre-deep pool, near his horse and two dogs.

The Taupo helicopter had to winch a rescuer down 40 metres to attach a grappling hook to the body.

The cause of death is not yet known.