Emergency services are at the scene of a car submerged in a river in Hamilton.
A body has been found in a vehicle which has been pulled from a Hamilton stream this morning.
Waikato road policing manager Freda Grace confirmed that a body was recovered from the partially submerged vehicle.
The identification process has now begun and next of kin being notified.
The red vehicle was submerged in the water of a tributary of the Waikato River at a bridge near the intersection of Matangi Rd and State Highway 26 earlier today.
Earlier a tow truck has pulled the vehicle out of the bush and scrub-laden stream.
The partially submerged vehicle. Photo / Belinda Feek
The sister of the man who died after his car crashed into a Waikato stream overnight has posted a moving tribute to her brother.
The woman thanked friends and family on Facebook this morning, saying she wished she had a chance to tell him how much she loved him.
"Thanks everyone for the love and support at this difficult [time]. His body has been found. Love you so much [ ] wish I had got to tel you that xx" she posted.
Police were called to the scene about 7am after reports of a car submerged in a river in Hamilton.
Police have identified the owner of the car who said their son was believed to have been driving it.
However, the son is yet to be found. He also failed to turn up for work this morning.
Waikato police say they're waiting to recover the vehicle from the river before they can confirm whether there is anyone inside.
Road policing manager Inspector Freda Grace says they are still "absolutely not sure" if there is anyone inside yet, however a recovery operation is underway. A funeral director arrived at the scene just before 11.30am.
A tow truck has partially pulled the car out of the water but police are now waiting for firefighters to arrive to help with the extraction of the body.
Earlier, Mrs Grace says the car was travelling westbound when it left the road between a power pole and a bridge and ended up in the stream below.
A police officer at the scene was injured in the recovery process.
The injured officer doesn't appear to be in a serious condition but is now being taken to Waikato Hospital. Photo / Supplied
The officer didn't appear to be in a serious condition and was taken to Waikato Hospital.
The crash appears to have happened after the car failed to take a left-hand bend, lost control and drove up onto the footpath, down through scrub and bush before plummeting into the water.
The police serious crash unit is on its way to the scene.
A resident told police she heard noises about midnight but it remains unclear how long the car has been in the stream.
The New Zealand Transport Agency said the Matangi Road was now closed to all traffic with motorists warned to avoid the area and take an alternate route.
