Update 2 Waikato River bridge crash

Searches of the Waikato River and its banks are continuing north of Hamilton today after a vehicle found submerged downstream from the Pukete Bridge was recovered without anyone in it.

Waikato Road Policing Manager, Inspector Leo Tooman, said specialist Police divers located a vehicle about 40m downstream from the Pukete Bridge late this morning.

"The vehicle was found submerged in about 2-3 metres of water. The river current at the time was strong and visibility was poor.

"Efforts were made to extract the Toyota Surf and these were completed early this afternoon. When the vehicle was recovered no person was found in the vehicle and as a result further searches of both the river and its banks are underway."

Mr Tooman said while those searches were being done enquiries were also being made in relation to the registered owner of the vehicle.

"Forensic analysis of the Surf is also underway."