Police have recovered the body of man reported missing after a bystander saw him in fall into fast-flowing water near Wairere Falls, northeast of Matamata.
Police said this afternoon the man “has sadly been located deceased”.
Police launched the efforts to find the man after he was seen falling into the river near Wairere Falls just before midday on Saturday.
The person who saw him fall tried to help but could not reach him in time.
The Paeroa Search and Rescue group joined the police Swift Water Rescue Team at the scene alongside a helicopter.
The search faced challenging conditions as the country dealt with storms and flooding caused by the remains of ex-Cyclone Tam sweeping through.
However, Police Search and Rescue staff managed to locate and recover the man’s body late Sunday afternoon.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this very sad time,” a police statement said..
The death has been referred to the coroner.
