Body found in Thames street identified

Police have blocked off service lanes in central Thames after a body was found. Photo / File

A man found dead in a service lane in Thames was a 36-year-old local man.

Waikato police Senior Sergeant Rod Carpinter confirmed the man was from Thames.

How he came to his death remains a mystery, he said, after the body was found by a member of the public in a service lane between Queen and Mary Streets at 7am today.

The man suffered "unexplained injuries" and an investigation into how the man sustained those injuries has been launched.

"Police have identified the dead man who is a local 36-year-old. His family have been informed of his death and continue to examine the cause of his death which is still unexplained."

Carpinter said the service lane would remain closed today.

The man's death has shocked nearby business owners and staff.

Nalin Patel, owner of the Thames Four Square, said the area was cordoned off and a tent erected over the body before he and his staff arrived at work today.

"All we know is that somebody is dead."

He said the service lane runs behind his business and is also a busy thoroughfare for busses picking up tourists from the i-Site centre behind them.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council posted on their Facebook that the service lanes behind 6 and 10 Pollen St were closed as police carried out their scene investigation.

Anyone who has seen or heard anything suspicious or unusual in the service lane, or around the central Thames area, between 4pm last night and 7am this morning, is asked to contact Thames Police on 07 8679604.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.