14 Mar 2013

Body found in Hagley Park drain

8:51 pm on 14 March 2013

Police in Christchurch say the death of a man whose body was found in a drain in South Hagley Park is not believed to be suspicious.

The body, which was found by a member at 12.40 on Thursday afternoon has been tentatively identified as that of a 19-year old Christchurch resident.

His name is yet to be released.

Detective senior sergeant Darryl Sweeney says that initial enquiries and a forensic examination at the scene indicate there are no suspicious circumstances.

He says the body was located in an open, steep-sided drainage canal, which had approximately 30cms of water in it. It is likely to have been in the water for several hours prior to being discovered.

The matter will now be referred to the Coroner.