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Police have confirmed a body pulled from the Waikato River was that of Deon Cowdrey, who fell from a Hamilton Bridge nearly two weeks ago.
Mr Cowdrey, 21, had been celebrating the win of his Hamilton Marist under-85kg rugby team on Saturday, August 2, with a few beers at a Hamilton pub while watching the All Blacks play Australia.
At around 11.20pm the group were on Victoria Bridge when Mr Cowdrey leant over a railing to look at the swollen river but lost his footing and fell nearly 25m into the water.
Two teammates leapt in after him but were unable to reach him.
Police searched for Mr Cowdrey's body but were unable to use a dive squad as the river had risen to a dangerous level.
A body was found north of Bridge St last Friday, but police held out for an official identification.
Mr Cowdrey's body has now been returned to his family.
- NZPA
