13 Feb 2012

Boy's body found in Waikato River

7:22 pm on 13 February 2012

The body of a boy missing after leaping into the Waikato River last week has been found.

Zharian Watkins, 13, did not surface after making his jump from a Huntly rail bridge on Friday afternoon.

Western Waikato Police Area Commander, Inspector Paul Carpenter, says members of the public found the body shortly after 3pm.

The official search for the boy's body had been suspended until Wednesday but dozens of people turned out on Monday to search the river and its banks.

The boy's death has been reported to the Waikato Coroner, who was present at the scene.