The body of a pilot who crashed in Otago has been recovered.
A search and rescue operation was launched early yesterday evening after authorities received an emergency beacon alert from a private light aircraft near Alexandra at about 5.30pm.
Heavy fog lifted on Thursday morning meaning search crews were able to retrieve the body.
A police spokesperson said the Cessna 172 was in a remote area and thick fog and low cloud had hampered the search.
Police confirmed the body of a man was found after the aircraft was located at about 4am on Thursday.