Search extended for driver after river plunge

The name of the 40-year-old woman driving the car hasn't been released. Photo / file

Police are extending their search for a missing Korean driver of a car, which crashed through the railing of a Hamilton bridge and fell into the Waikato River on Wednesday night.

Investigators have confirmed the driver was a 40-year-old Korean woman, whose name is yet to be released.

Searchers were today extending their search and would travel down river by boat as far north as Ngaruawahia, Radio New Zealand reported.

The Toyota Hilux Surf the woman was driving ploughed through railings and plunged 18 metres into the river as it crossed Pukete Bridge on Wairere Dr at about 8.30pm o Wednesday.

Weather conditions at the time were stormy and the incident happened on a stretch of road which is being widened.

"Currently the focus of our inquiries is establishing the woman's movement prior to the crash while at the same time trying to locate her,'' Mr Singer said.

"This has taken the shape of land and boat-based searches of the Waikato River and its banks, hospital checks and consultation with consular officials while keeping the missing woman's family apprised of what is happening.''

The empty vehicle was recovered 40 metres downstream from the bridge.

At the time witnesses told police they thought a person had escaped from the vehicle and had swum to safety, but Waikato road policing manager Inspector Leo Tooman said no body had been found.