A body has been found in the search for missing Karori man Philip Sutton.
Sutton, who was in his 60s, was reported missing on Monday morning after torrential rain caused intense flooding in Wellington.
His home on Karori South Rd was found to have been swamped by floodwaters and debris.
Police today said Sutton’s vehicle, a Suzuki Swift, had been found in the Karori Stream at around 11am, about a kilometre from where it had been parked. Roughly an hour later, a body was found further along at the South Coast.
“We’ve moved into a recovery phase this afternoon,” Inspector Fleur de Bes said.
State of emergency declared for the region and residents warned again to leave low lying areas. (Source: 1News)
“Formal identification procedures are yet to be carried out but we believe the body is that of Mr Sutton and have notified his loved ones.”
A front section of Sutton’s vehicle had been found on Monday, de Bes said. A second part of the vehicle was found the following day.
“This is not the outcome any of us were hoping for, and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this awful time.”
De Bes thanked members of the community “for their concern and assistance”, as well as the specialist search crews and emergency teams who “have worked in challenging and dangerous conditions” to find Sutton’s body.
Support was being provided for Sutton’s loved ones.
A spokesman earlier said a physical search for Sutton “could not safely proceed” yesterday due to “unstable stream banks, variable and fast-moving water, debris and damaged terrain”.
Conditions were reassessed this morning, and the search resumed shortly after 8am.
De Bes said specialist teams, including canyon search and rescue, the dive squad, a dog unit and a drone, had been called in to help with the search.
“We acknowledge how frustrating this is and we ask members of the public to respect safety advice and allow teams to work safely at the scene,” de Bes said earlier today.
“Philip’s family are in close contact with us and have expressed thanks for the public’s concern and support, but have asked for their privacy to be respected.”
Police will be investigating on behalf of the coroner.
‘Profoundly saddened’ – NZ Post chief
NZ Post CEO David Walsh said Sutton had been an employee at the government agency for more than two decades.
“We are profoundly saddened that our colleague, Philip Sutton, has been found deceased following the severe weather in Wellington,” Walsh said.
“Philip was a valued member of the NZ Post team, working as a delivery agent in Wellington for more than 20 years. He was well known and liked by both his colleagues and the community he served.
“Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.”
Walsh said support was being provided for NZ Post employees, particularly their Wellington team, and would remain in contact with Sutton’s family.