Teams searching for Whitby man find body

Police and Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) volunteers searching for missing Whitby man Vaughn Solomon have found a man's body in the Smiths Creek area of the Lower Tararuas.

Mr Solomon, aged 40, intended to go for a walk on the Puffer Track into the Tauherenikau Valley but did not return home as expected on Monday night.

Searchers found a body this morning and were currently recovering it, said Acting Sergeant Anthony Harmer, officer in charge of Wellington Police District Search and Rescue.

The body had not been formally identified, but Mr Solomon's family had been informed.

Acting Sergeant Harmer said: "Police would like to thank the Wellington LandSAR volunteers, and teams from Levin and the Wairarapa who assisted them, for their efforts."

Mr Solomon's family has asked that media respect their privacy. Media queries to Police Central Communications, 04 381 2000.