Bethells Beach. Photo: totoglenn/123RF
A body found on a beach on Auckland's west coast is believed to be that of a missing swimmer.
Police were notified a body had washed up on Bethells Beach on Friday night, likely to be of a man who got into difficulty in the water at Piha on Tuesday evening.
The man's family has been advised, and the death will be referred to the coroner.
Formal identification was yet to take place.
A group of swimmers got into difficulty just after 4pm on Tuesday. Police said five swimmers were rescued and a sixth member of the group could not be located.
A search involving air patrols came up empty.
"The team at Surf Life Saving New Zealand extends our aroha to the whānau and friends of the missing person. We are providing support to the surf lifeguards involved," a Surf Live Saving spokesperson said on Wednesday.
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