Body of missing diver found

The Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was involved in the search for the missing diver.

A diver reported missing this afternoon off the Coromandel Peninsula has been pronounced dead by medical staff.

A crewman from the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter, which was called shortly after 1pm for the search, confirmed a man had been found in the water near Hahei Beach.

"He's been recovered and unfortunately he's ... deceased,'' crewman Tinny Cannell said.

The man was found by a boat, Mr Cannell said.

Medical staff from the helicopter were then winched down to a Coast Guard vessel about 2.10pm, Mr Cannell said.

"We commenced resuscitation on the boat'', however this was unsuccessful and the man was pronounced dead on the vessel.

"It was a pretty harrowing experience for beachgoers at one stage'' as the resuscitation attempt was "reasonably public''.

Mr Cannell had no further details about the man.

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