Man missing after river jump

Police are searching the Waikato River after a man was seen jumping off a bridge in Hamilton yesterday.

The fully-clothed man was walking across the bridge on Boundary Rd with another man when he climbed over the railings and jumped into the river shortly before 5pm, Senior Sergeant Murray Stapp of Hamilton police said.

Mr Stapp said no-one saw the man resurface and a boat search of the river was launched.

Police have identified the man as a local 25-year-old.

The search was continuing today and searchers believed they were looking for a body, Mr Stapp said.

The river was quite high and flowing quickly, which meant a body could have been carried some distance.

Anyone who saw the man was asked to contact police.

- NZPA