Missing kayaker's body found

The body of a kayaker who fell into the ocean and went missing at Waiotahi Beach near Opotiki has been discovered.

Reports state the 21-year-old man tipped out of his kayak into rough ocean conditions while setting a longline today, at about 12pm.


The body of a 21-year-old kayaker who fell into the ocean at Waiotahi Beach was found by a friend assisting with the search at about 3pm this afternoon. Photo: File.

Police plus Coastguard volunteers from Opotiki and Whakatane were called in to help find the kayaker after receiving reports of a man was struggling out at sea at about 12.40pm.

Conditions at the time were described as rough and it has been reported the man was not believed to have been wearing a life jacket.

At about 3pm the man's body was discovered near the shore, about 1km from where he disappeared, by a friend who had been assisting police and Coastguard with the search.

EARLIER

Police, a helicopter and coastguard craft from Opotiki and Whakatane Volunteer Coastguards, are searching for a kayaker missing off the coast between Ohiwa and Opotiki east of Whakatane.

Coastguard volunteers were called to help find the kayaker about 12.40pm, after reports a man was struggling out at sea.

Rescue crews have headed to an area off the coast of Waiotahi Coast. It is about 35km east of Whakatane where State Highway 2 runs beside the beach between the Waiotahi River mouth and before the highway turns inland to Opotiki.

Whakatane Police have no other details at this stage. Cell phone coverage in the region is poor.

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