KEY POINTS:
Police have found the body of a missing Hamilton man in the Waikato River this afternoon.
Paul John Fraser, a 53 year-old tetraplegic, went missing on Tuesday morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page said members of the police dive squad found the body near Memorial Park and his death was being referred to the coroner.
"At this time Police would like to acknowledge members of the community who contacted us in regards to sightings of Mr Fraser and extend our condolences to the bereaved family," Mr Page said.
Police divers had been searching the Waikato River all morning. He was last seen travelling in his wheelchair through Hamilton on Tuesday morning.
The last reported sighting of Mr Fraser, who operates his wheel chair with head movements, was on Garden Place at about 10.43am.
Waikato police spokesman Andrew McAlley said this morning there had been little response to publicity about Mr Fraser's disappearance.
He said divers entered the Waikato River this morning and were scouring a section of it close to the central business district.
Police and search and rescue personnel yesterday combed paths and walkways in the area and a police rescue boat had also searched the river bank.
- NZHERALD STAFF
