Tragic discovery as divers locate Deer Park man dead in waters near Altona Beach

Fresh details have emerged following the tragic discovery of a man who went missing after snorkelling in Melbourne’s southwest.

A snorkeller has died after he was reported missing off Altona Beach. Picture: Channel 9

The desperate search for a man who disappeared after snorkelling near a Melbourne beach ended in tragedy after divers made the grim discovery.

Police located the body of a man hours after he went missing in waters off Altona Beach, in Melbourne’s southwest on Tuesday night.

The Herald Sun can reveal the deceased was a 42-year-old Deer Park man.

Emergency crews found the man dead on Tuesday night. Picture: Channel 9

Emergency services were first alerted to reports of a man missing in waters off Altona Beach about 4pm on Tuesday.

Police were told the man, who was formally identified early Wednesday, had been snorkelling in the area before going missing.

Witnesses told police the man was snorkelling and was last seen east of the Surf Life Saving Club.

Crews, including a Surf Life Saving Victoria chopper and jet skis, as well as police conducted a frantic search for hours on Tuesday afternoon.

Divers located the deceased man about 9pm.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and police will now prepare a report for the coroner.