Man's body found in vehicle down steep bank

Around 5pm a helicopter out searching for missing motorist Hastings Alex Binns spotted what appeared to be a car down a bank off SH5 at Te Haroto.

The terrain was too steep and enclosed for the helicopter to get any closer to the vehicle so Police sent a land search and rescue team into the area to check out the sighting. The team located the car which contained the body of a man. It was not possible to airlift the deceased from the area so the rescue team carried him out on foot.

A formal identification is yet to be completed. The family of missing 69-year-old Alex Binns has been informed.

The Serious Crash Investigation Unit is investigating.