by LUTHER MONROE @ CDNN - Cyber Diver News Network
October 23, 2009
HAAST, New Zealand — The effort to rescue a missing diver has turned into a recovery mission.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the missing 37-year-old diver but told CDNN it is unlikely he has survived.
At about 12:30 pm on Friday, a buddy diver reported the man missing after he failed to resurface near Hapuka Rock in Jackson's Bay, about 44km southwest of Haast.
Tasman District assistant search and rescue co-ordinator Sherp Tucker said four helicopters and several rescue teams assisted in the missing diver search but no trace was found of the diving accident victim and the search was suspended for the night at about 6:30 pm.
Police divers will resume searching for the missing diver on Saturday morning.
A 37-year-old man who disappeared while diving off the West Coast of New Zealand is presumed dead.
