A Tauranga accountant whose body was found in a river between Napier and Wairoa in northern Hawke's Bay appears to have slipped and drowned, his father said today.
Benjamin Wayne Urry, 22, had been living in Tauranga since February and was employed as a graduate trainee at KPMG on Grey St.
It
is believed he may have been a spectator over the weekend at a motorbike event in Hawke's Bay.
His father, Wayne Urry, said his son may have been on his way to see his brother in Gisborne when the tragedy occurred.
Benjamin Urry, who lived in The Avenues, was found dead in the river near the Mohaka Viaduct at 10.30am yesterday after his abandoned car had sparked a search of the river.
Wairoa police said the death had been referred to the coroner and preliminary results would probably be available by tomorrow.
Mr Urry said his son was going to be sadly missed by the family, mostly based in Gisborne.
"We're devastated," he told the Bay of Plenty Times.
"[He was a ] very sensitive, caring, successful young man, just graduated from a degree [from Waikato University] and fitted in very well with his job."
Police would not confirm Mr Urry's statements about a fall, and said they were still investigating.
A funeral is planned for Gisborne on Saturday.
