BODY IN RIVER

A MAN found dead on the banks of the Murray River at Moama yesterday is believed to have jumped from the Echuca-Moama bridge some time on Wednesday night.

Police are still investigating after the man’s body was spotted under the bridge on the riverbank on the NSW side of the Murray by a kayaker about 6.45am.

Deniliquin police officers attended the scene, where they retrieved and examined the body and searched the riverbank for evidence.

With police tape cordoning off Moama beach and a tarp positioned over the body, it was not a pleasant sight for passengers of the PS Canberra who chugged past about 10am.

Police Inspector Peter Hayes said at this stage the death was not suspicious.

‘‘He was fully clothed and there were personal belongings with him,’’ he said.

‘‘There were no (visible) injuries to his body.’’

Insp. Hayes said the man, believed to be in his early 30s from Melbourne, had identification on him and the family had been notified but had not formally identified him.

He said CCTV footage showed the man walking alone in the Echuca port area on Wednesday night.

‘‘We believe it may have happened that night,’’ he said.

‘‘We would appeal for anyone who may have seen someone they thought might have been acting suspiciously in the port and Echuca-Moama bridge area that night to contact us.’’

Inquiries are continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

A post-mortem is likely to be conducted in Deniliquin.

The last similar bridge tragedy was back in November 1996, when 15-year-old Stuart Lamb, from Echuca, jumped into the water, never to be seen again.

Despite an extensive underwater search, the teenager’s body has never been recovered.

Anyone with any information about the latest tragedy is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use its online reporting page at nsw.crimestoppers.com.au