Body in car not foul play, police say

The death of a person whose body was found in a burnt-out car on the outskirts of Invercargill yesterday is not suspicious, police say.

Emergency services found the destroyed vehicle 2km north of the main entrance to Oreti Beach shortly before 2pm.

Invercargill Inspector Olaf Jensen said police had not formally identified the sole occupant, thought to be a man, or determined the cause of death.

The vehicle was understood to be registered to a local elderly man.

Mr Jensen said an autopsy would be carried out and the matter would be referred to the coroner.

- NZPA