Swimmer drowns in Waikato River

A 20 Kinleath man has drowned whilst swimming in the Waikato River at about 3.50 pm this afternoon.

He and a friend were swimming in the water about half a mile upstream from the Huka Lodge, when he got into difficulty, and was unable to get back to the shore.

He was eventually removed from the water but attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful.

Police are still in the process of notifying his next of kin, and will not be releasing his name at this time.