Police believe the body of a 22 year old woman found in an irrigation canal hundreds of metres from an accident near the Rakaia Bridge last night, may have been swept down stream by the water. An investigation is underway as to the cause of her death. A post mortem will take place this evening.
A black 2 door Toyota Tercell car with three persons was involved in an accident nearby when the car hit an irrigation canal near the Rakaia Bridge between 930pm and 10pm last night.
Police are speaking to two males who are believed to have been in the car at the time of the accident. One male is in Ashburton Hospital.
Police were alerted to the accident by a passing truck driver and the Westpac Trust helicopter assisted police locate the scene.
Police are seeking anyone who was travelling in the Rakaia Bridge area last night around 9.30- 10pm.
DSS David Harvey says that someone may have seen the black 2 door Toyota Tercell travelling north on SH1 from Rakaia towards Christchurch.
The immediate family of the woman has been informed but further family members are unable to be located so no further details can be released today.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Ashburton Police Station 03 3078400.