Police are searching for the body of an Irish tourist who got into difficulty while swimming in Waikato River on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old was on holiday with five friends from Ireland and spent the afternoon at a popular swimming hole at Spa Park near Taupo.
Senior Constable Barry Shepherd says the man got caught in a swift current and disappeared about 2pm.
Mr Shepherd says bystanders tried in vain to save the man.
A search involving the Coastguard and helicopters has failed to find him and the police dive team from Wellington has been called in.
