Body found in search for missing Mary River midnight swimmer

The body of a 20-year-old man who went missing during a midnight swim with friends near Gympie overnight has been found after an hours-long search effort.

Police say the 20-year-old had been in waist-deep water, lit with headlights near the group's camp ground along the Mary River, when the rest of the group noticed he was gone just after midnight.

Swift water rescue crews, SES personnel and a rescue helicopter have been called in to help with the search effort.Credit: RACQ LifeFlight Rescue

His body was found 80 metres away from where he was last seen swimming near the corner of Traveston Crossing and Dobson roads at Kybong, police said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

Three swift water rescue crews, along with police divers, State Emergency Service personnel and the Sunshine Coast-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter all took part in the extensive search effort.

Property owners in the area had been urged to watch for the man. A report will now be prepared for the coroner.

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