Body in submerged ute was a man in his 30’s

Police have confirmed a body found in a vehicle submerged in the Merriwa River was a man, believed to have been in his thirties.

Emergency responders were alerted to the upturned white Holden Rodeo ute in the water adjacent to the Golden Highway by a walker around 6 yesterday morning.

The vehicle and the body inside have been removed from the river for forensic examination.

The grim discovery was made after a walker noticed the wheels sticking out of the waterway.

Chief Inspector Guy Giana said officers have examined the scene to try to establish how the vehicle ended up in the river.

“The vehicle has South Australian number plates so we believe the man is from there but he is still to be formally identified,” he said.