24 Jan 2018

Search for missing skydiver suspended

2:37 pm on 24 January 2018

The search for missing Californian Tyler Nii has been suspended.

Tyler Nii’s parents and brother looking out over Lake Wakatipu.

Members of Mr Nii's family have been in New Zealand while the search continued. Photo: Police

Mr Nii, 27, is presumed to have drowned after plunging into Lake Wakatipu during a tandem skydive earlier this month.

Otago Lakes Central area commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said the national dive squad completed the final phase of its sonar search yesterday and was unable to find Mr Nii.

The squad had been operating at a depth of 340 metres - the Sky Tower, New Zealand's tallest building, is only 328 metres.

Suspending the search was not the outcome police wanted and it was disappointing, Mr Jensen said.

Mr Nii's family will return to the US tomorrow.

The family said they were thankful for the support of the community and the efforts of those involved in the search.

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