A man who died at Leithfield Beach, north Canterbury, early today has been named by police.
He was Craig Alan Ford, 37, of Leithfield Beach.
Police said Mr Ford's body was found about 10am in the Kowai riverbed, north of Christchurch.
Senior Sergeant Peter Cooper said that it appeared a Ford Falcon became stuck in the Kowai River around midnight and another vehicle brought in to pull it out also became stuck. The group of three men then began to walk back to Leithfield Beach but became separated in the dark.
Two of the men made it back but Mr Ford was last heard from around 2am.
Culverden police located the man's body. His death will be referred to the coroner.
