Body found in Wales could be a Kiwi

Welsh police believe the watch the man was wearing will help in his identification. Photo / supplied

A body dragged from a waterfall at a popular Welsh beauty spot could be a New Zealand backpacker, police fear.

The unidentified man was recovered from Rhiwargor waterfall near Lake Vyrnwy - an area in Mid Wales popular with international tourists - on May 23.

He was found wearing a distinctive watch with a black face bearing a silver fern emblem "mostly associated with New Zealand", said police.

It is thought the body had been in the water for between a week and a month.

Police in Wales have so far been unable to identify him.

Detective Inspector Diane Davies of Dyfed-Powys Police said: "This gentleman's body was recovered with dignity from the scene.

"We are urgently trying to identify him so that his next of kin can be informed and arrangements made for his funeral.

"We have been in contact with all other police forces throughout the country but potential identities have now been exhausted."

The man was believed to be aged about 60. He was white, 1.8m tall with ginger or fair hair, wore glasses, and weighed 94kg, say police.

He had a distinctive curved scar across his stomach and his gall bladder had been removed.

The man was wearing layers of clothing suitable for cold weather conditions and was carrying a money pouch and a rucksack.

Police say a post mortem examination has been conducted and they are waiting for final results.

The death is unexplained but is not being treated as suspicious.