Police identify body found in submerged car

Police have named the man found dead in a submerged vehicle in an eastern Waikato canal yesterday morning.

He was Lee Clint Dey, a 23-year-old farm worker.

Mr Dey's body was recovered from his dark green Honda Accord when it was pulled from the Awaiti Canal, 11km west of Paeroa in the Thames Valley.

It appeared the car failed to stop or turn at a T-intersection running alongside the canal and went straight into the water, police said.

Sergeant Jim Corbett of the Thames strategic traffic unit said the focus for the investigation was establishing Mr Dey's movements.

"He hadn't been seen on Sunday and shortly before his car was discovered in the canal his father had reported him missing to Paeroa police.

"We're now trying to establish his movements prior to the crash and are asking anyone who may recall seeing Mr Dey on Sunday or recalls seeing a dark green Honda Accord in the area to make contact with the Paeroa police."

- NZPA