Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
A man that went missing while mustering cattle on a West Coast river has been found dead.
Emergency services were called to the Mikonui River, south of Ross, about 11am on Friday after a man was reported missing.
"The man had gone into the river while mustering cattle and had not resurfaced," a police spokesperson said.
A search team, including police staff and police Search and Rescue personnel, LandSAR, Surf Lifesaving, Swift Water Rescue, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, and a local helicopter were deployed to search in the isolated location.
The Swift Water Rescue team located the man dead late this afternoon about 12km from where he entered the water, the spokesperson said.
A local who did not want to be named earlier said the search was for a man in his 70s.
"He's just a salt of the earth lovely man," she said.
She had hoped he was sitting on the river bank "swearing his head off waiting for someone to get him".
She said the area was foggy on Friday, which could have prevented helicopters accessing the area.
Police thanked the search team for their response.
The man's death will be referred to the Coroner.
* This story originally appeared on Stuff.