Witnesses sought after body found in Waikato River

File photo / NZ Herald

Witnesses are being sought following the discovery of a man's body in the Waikato River yesterday.

The body was found by water-skiers south of the Horotiu Bridge shortly after 9am, said Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Patterson of the Hamilton CIB.

"The water-skiers assisted in the recovery of the man's body and police would like to acknowledge their assistance. Our investigations to date have established the body is that of a man who went missing in Hamilton around the 19th of March.

"Though the formal identification of his body is not expected to be completed until after a post-mortem examination in Auckland today, police are satisfied the body is not that of missing 70-year-old Kawhia man, Trevor Smith."

Mr Patterson said until police know how the man died, his death will continue to be treated as unexplained.

"At this point, while expressing the police's condolences to the man's family, investigators would like to hear from anyone who recalls seeing a man in a dark coloured hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, white sneakers and with a red and black bag on his back near any bridges or by the Waikato River on or about the night of 19 March.

"Anyone who recalls seeing a person matching this description or who has information on how the man came to be in the river is asked to contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200."

Information can also be left anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.