A body has been discovered after a vehicle crashed into the Kawarau River.
Police divers made the grim discovery in the partially submerged vehicle this afternoon.
The van crashed on State Highway 6 near Victoria Flats Bridge near Queenstown yesterday. It was believed to have been travelling towards Cromwell.
A witness had described seeing a van crashing into an 85km/h speed sign before going through a paddock and over a cliff into the Kawarau River.
"The Police National Dive Squad located the body in the partially submerged vehicle this afternoon," police Otago Lakes central area commander Olaf Jensen said.
"They are yet to formally identify the body and have a number of further inquiries to carry out."
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The coroner has been notified.
The researchers aim to create early detection tests, improving survival rates.