KEY POINTS:
Police were today continuing their investigation into the death of a young Ashburton woman who was swept down an irrigation canal after a car crash in central Canterbury two days ago.
Melissa Brown's body was apparently found in a field about 200m from the crash site near the Rakaia Bridge on State Highway 1, between 9.35pm and 10pm on Wednesday.
A 35-year old man and a 16-year-old boy, both from Ashburton, who were in the car with Ms Brown were questioned by police yesterday.
It is understood that they made their way back to Ashburton after the crash.
The Press newspaper said today that Ms Brown, 22, worked for McDonalds fast food chain and had aspirations of becoming a midwife.
Police said last night Ms Brown was in the front passenger seat of the car. They were unsure who was driving at the time of the crash.
Police media spokeswoman Maggie Leask said today an autopsy had been carried out on the Ms Brown's body late last night, but would not reveal the cause of death.
"Her body appears to have been carried several hundred metres down the canal."
Police used a helicopter to find both the car and the body. The smashed car was taken to Christchurch last night for further examination, Ms Leask said.
They were calling for anyone travelling on the bridge between 9.30 and 10pm on Wednesday to contact them.
No charges had been laid against anyone at this stage, Ms Leask said.
- NZPA
