Body found in car submerged in Whanganui River, police close area of Taupo Quay as firefighters attend

Police were called the scene at about 11.50am.

A body has been found in a car submerged in the Whanganui River.

Police put a cordon up around the scene at the slipway near the Wanganui Motor Boat Club on Anzac Parade.

Police were called about 11.50am and found one person dead in the car.

Police will be making enquiries to understand the circumstances of the death and a section of Taupo Quay has also been closed in relation to the incident.

Whanganui District Council have released a statement saying police have closed Taupo Quay between Wilson St and Berdeck Village.

Five fire trucks are attending the scene and a command unit has been set up as firefighters put on hazmat gear.

Firefighters and police including detectives have been meeting inside the Hazmat command unit.

Firefighters in hazmat gear have taken a large disposal bin inside a building next to the command centre.

Firefighters are now going through a decontamination wash down.

Three staff at Whitlock Freight were asked to leave their premises behind where the command unit is set up.

Staff are waiting to be allowed back in to load up their trucks.

A police spokesperson said there was no further comment to be made by police at this stage.

Taupo Quay between Wilson St and Berdeck Village has been closed by police as they investigate the scene with firefighters. Photo / Bevan Conley