Missing swimmer in Hutt Gorge area located safe and well

Search teams have located a missing swimmer in the Hutt Gorge area a short time ago, after he failed to return from a trip along the Hutt River yesterday afternoon.

Officer in charge of the search, Senior Constable Dan O'Connell says a party of four set off from the Kaitoke Waterworks around 10:45am yesterday morning.

"Three of the group were tubing down the river, and a 42 year old man was swimming with them. The 42 year old decided to exit the river and make his way back to his vehicle through bush, but failed to return."

Police were alerted by other members of the group at around 4:45pm last night.

Senior Constable O'Connell says a search began this morning with Police and Land SAR volunteers searching an area of bush between the Kaitoke Waterworks and Twin Lakes Road, both entry and exit points to the Hutt Gorge.

"The missing man was located safe and well a short time ago. Police would like to thank Land SAR volunteers for their assistance with the search this morning.