WANGANUI - The mother of one of the boys believed to have been knocked off their bikes into the Whanganui River says support from the city has been overwhelming.
The bodies of 14-year-old Colin Morgan and his friend, Zane Cutter, 13, were found by relatives and friends scouring the riverbanks yesterday.
Colin's mother, Bronwyn, thanked the many people from Wanganui and around the country who had offered support.
"I want to thank the people who prayed for us and helped to search."
Mrs Morgan said family, friends and even strangers had offered assistance. "It's been overwhelming."
Barry Quirk, Zane's stepfather, said the family now wanted their privacy.
"We've had a hard four days and now we just want to rest."
The boys were allegedly struck by a hit-and-run driver last Thursday night.
Senior Sergeant Mike Wilson, of Wanganui, said yesterday that the bodies would not be formally identified until autopsies had been carried out by a forensic pathologist in Wellington today.
The bodies were found just before midday upriver of Cobham Bridge.
While the boys were believed to have fallen into the river during an outgoing tide, Senior Sergeant Wilson said it would not be uncommon for bodies to be pushed back again by an incoming tide.
They were discovered about an hour apart by searchers in boats.
The boys were last seen about 8.50 pm on Thursday cycling towards the bridge after swimming at South Beach.
Shortly after 9 pm, property belonging to both boys and Colin's damaged bicycle were found on the bridge. Searchers later found a cycle helmet and a bicycle, believed to be Zane's, in the river.
A 63-year-old Wanganui man was charged on Friday with failing to ascertain injury after an accident. He will appear in the Wanganui District Court tomorrow.
Police impounded a damaged vehicle, which is being forensically examined.
Meanwhile, Whanganui MP Jill Pettis, police and others have come out in support of a clip-on cycle and pedestrian lane being added to the bridge. - NZPA
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