Wednesday, 10 November, 2010 – 10:16
The search for a diver missing since Sunday near an island off the coast of Raglan was suspended on Wednesday night.
Search Coordinator, Sergeant Warren Shaw of the Waikato Police Search and Rescue Squad, said despite the best efforts of a large team the body of 36-year-old John LINDSAY had not been recovered.
“The case is now a Coronial matter,” he said.
Mr Shaw said both Police and Mr LINDSAY’S family asked recreational divers not to place themselves or potential rescuers at risk by carrying out their own uncoordinated searches.
“Neither the Police nor the family wish to see anyone put at risk carrying out a search of an area that has been subject to the attentions of professional divers, a number of vessels, helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.
“The family have expressed their gratitude to everyone involved at various levels in the search for John and they don’t want anyone else to have to suffer similar loss attributed to trying to find him.”
Mr LINDSAY’S partner, Karen, said the loss of the much loved father of four was difficult for the family to come to terms with and she asked media to respect the family’s request for privacy to grieve at this time.