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Fletcher Wong. Photo / Supplied
The body of a teenager who was last seen alive in Rhythm and Vines has been found.
LandSAR volunteers located his body in the Ormond area of Gisborne.
He has been identified as Fletcher Wong, 19, who was reported missing on Tuesday.
Wong, from Wellington, was last seen leaving the admissions area of the Gisborne Rhythm and Vines festival site at 2 a.m. Tuesday.
Polcie said at the time he was wearing a black Champion-branded hoodie, gray Warehouse sweatpants, white Nike Air Force 1 shoes, and had a black iPhone 10 cell phone with him.
During search efforts, Fire and Emergency New Zealand provided a drone to help find the teenager.
Meng Foon, the former mayor of Gisborne and current Commissioner for Race Relations, Meng Foon posted on Facebook asking for information.
Organizers of Rhythm and Vines said they were working closely with authorities to find Wong and were following his advice.
Police said tonight: “The police would like to thank the management and staff of Rhythm & Vines, who provided significant support and assistance to the police during the search for Fletcher.
“Additionally, the police would like to thank the police and civilian LandSAR personnel for their hard work over the past two days.
“Death will be referred to the coroner.”
Police extended their condolences to Fletcher’s family and friends and are providing support.
Another man died at a New Year’s festival Sunday after suffering a medical event.
He was named this week as Second Lieutenant Tuitu’u Junior Vaiangina, 29, who was a member of the New Zealand Army who “served New Zealand with pride.”
The army expressed its condolences to Vaiangina’s family and friends, said Major General John Boswell, the army chief.
Emergency services were called to the Hidden Valley festival in Matakana, on Auckland’s northern fringe, around 7:30 p.m. on December 27.
The electronic music and dance festival, held at Matakana Country Park north of Auckland, is one of the first major festivals of the summer.
Know Your Stuff deputy editor Dr. Jez Weston said Monday that the cause of death had not yet been made public and they did not want to speculate.
“The death at Hidden Valley Festival is a tragedy. We are very sorry that this person’s friends and family are in this heartbreaking situation.”
In a statement posted on Instagram, Hidden Valley organizers said they were deeply saddened.
“As a live music festival that prides itself on providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all, we are devastated by this tragic event,” they said.
“Our thoughts, respect and aroha remain with the family of the deceased at this time.
“The safety and well-being of our assistants, artists, staff, security and support team remains our number one priority.”