Whakaari/White Island: Police officially name two still missing following the eruption

Tuesday, 17 December 2019

Australian Winona Langford, 17, and Kiwi tour guide Hayden Marshall-Inman have been named by police as the two still missing at White Island.

Two people yet to be recovered following the Whakaari/White Island eruption have been officially named by the police.

They are White Island Tour guide Hayden Bryan Marshall-Inman, 40, and Australian teen Winona Jane Langford, 17.

On Friday, a recovery team brought back six bodies from the island. However, they were unable to locate Marshall-Inman and Langford.

Police and Navy dive squads continued water searches over the weekend, but on Tuesday were unable to head out due to poor weather.

The Police Eagle helicopter left Whakatāne about 5.45am to undertake a further aerial search of the island. But it too was forced to turn back due to the weather.

Winona Jane Langford, 17, pictured here with her family, has been named as one of those yet to be recovered. Her parents, Anthony and Kristine were confirmed dead on Sunday and Monday. Her brother was located injured in hospital in the days following the eruption.

Police said conditions were being assessed to determine the viability of a second attempt by Eagle or a shoreline search by boat later on Tuesday. However, the Police National Dive Squad would not enter the water.

Meanwhile Australian foreign minister Marise Payne and Australian High Commissioner Patricia Forsythe met with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Monday.

In a short transcript released following the meeting, Ardern said she wanted to give gratitude for the enormous support given by the Australians.

Wet weather on Tuesday hampered continued searches for the missing two bodies.

'Australia has experienced a huge amount of loss in this tragedy and the contact, the offers from PM Morrison and the Government has been fantastic,' she said.

'We've really felt that support and at the same time we want to offer it to you for your loss.'

Payne said she appreciated the kind words.

'I've been in touch with deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Peters as well and condolences for the tragic event itself but also for the losses New Zealand has experienced.

'I went to Hutt Valley hospital before I came here to the Beehive and met some of the medical professionals there that have literally saved lives.

'They've literally enabled people to be able to be in a state where they could be transferred back to Australia.

'Medical evacuation of burns victims is extraordinarily difficult and I cannot thank you enough for what those professionals have done, let alone the first responders who took people off the island, brought them back, and saved those lives. It's extraordinary.'