Police have found a body that is believed to be missing nine-year-old Emily Branje, who was swept away in the Hokitika River on Thursday.
Emergency services were called to the river at 9:45am on Thursday after Emily and a 69-year-old man were swept into the water at the river mouth while whitebaiting.
- Girl swept away in Hokitika whitebaiting incident named as Emily Branje
- Emergency services continue search for girl missing in Hokitika River
The man was recovered from the water but Emily was not. The body was found on Saturday morning near the mouth of the Grey River near Cobden, on the West Coast.
Formal identification is yet to take place but a police spokesperson said the body is believed to be Emily's.
Emily's family said in a statement on Friday they would like privacy while they come to terms with what has happened.
"We are in shock and grief after receiving the news yesterday about our precious only child, Emily," they said in a statement.
"Emily had been spending school holidays with extended family in Hokitika."
A Givealittle has been set up to support the family.
Newshub.
