A body has been found after a vehicle crashed into the Kawarau River near Queenstown last night.
Police divers made the grim discovery this afternoon.
"The Police National Dive Squad located the body in the partially submerged vehicle this afternoon," Otago Lakes central area commander Olaf Jensen said.
"They are yet to formally identify the body and have a number of further inquiries to carry out."
A police spokeswoman earlier said motorists found debris on State Highway 6 near Victoria Flats Bridge at 6.40pm yesterday.
"The crashed vehicle was found partially submerged in the river.
"It was secured by wire rope last night to prevent it from moving and a scene guard was in place overnight."
Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing.
This morning police said they were working to recover the vehicle, and in an update this afternoon they said the dive squad had been called in.
The vehicle has now been recovered and the coroner has been notified.
- additional reporting Matthew McKew
