Man drowned near Kaikoura named Man drowned near Kaikoura named

Police have today named the man who drowned on Saturday evening while snorkelling south of Kaikorua.

He was Vincent He, aged 32, from Boston in the United States. He had been in Christchurch for two weeks working with Habitat for Humanity.

Mr He was on a day trip to the area with a group from Christchurch. He was last seen about 6.30pm. His friends contacted Police about 8.10pm when they could not locate him.

A search was launched immediately and searching resumed on Sunday morning. Mr He's body was discovered by the Police Dive Squad about 11.45am on Sunday not far from where he had gone missing.

Sergeant Barry Hansen of Kaikoura Police said it appeared Mr He had become tangled in kelp while snorkelling. He was not wearing flippers.

Sergeant Hansen said Mr He's companions performed a haka on the beach has his body was recovered.