Body found floating in Waikato River

A member of the public saw a body floating down the Waikato River. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Police believe they have found the body of a man who has been missing since he leaped from a bridge in Hamilton last Thursday.

Acting Senior Sergeant Geoff Blow said police were contacted by a member of the public who saw what appeared to be a body floating down the Waikato River.

Police recovered the body in the river near a park off Anne St about 2.15pm, Mr Blow said.

The body was likely that of a man who jumped from Claudelands Bridge into the river on December 30, he said.

The body had been taken to Waikato Hospital for forensic examination and identification.

Police were working with the missing man's family to establish the identity of the body.

Police said the man jumped from the Claudelands Bridge and landed a short distance from a surprised jetskier who began searching for him.

"Other witnesses raised the alarm and the man was seen surfacing about 50m away for about 15 seconds and was heard calling for help before going under again," Senior Sergeant Craig Singer said last week.

Search and Rescue personnel and the National Police Dive Squad had spent the past five days searching for him.

- NZPA