Man drowned off wharf named

The worker who drowned after falling from a wharf at Port Waikato last night was Hamilton man Grant Van Kampen.

Environment Waikato chief executive Bob Laing said Mr Van Kampen, 46, was a contractor who was on a ladder installing a monitoring system in a tide level recorder on the wharf when he fell into the river about 1pm.

His body was recovered by police divers at 7.30pm.

"Our hearts are with Grant's family at this time and we will be doing all we can to support them," Mr Laing said.

It was not known what caused Mr Van Kampen to fall but Environment Waikato would be investigating, alongside the Department of Labour and police, he said.

Mr Van Kampen worked for Environment Waikato for about five years during the 1990s, before going out on his own as a contractor.

"He had many friends in this organisation and they are deeply shocked and upset," Mr Laing said.

- NZPA