Body of missing man found in Manning River at Taree

A search for a man, who allegedly fled into a river on the Mid North Coast from the back seat of a car stopped by police, has come to a tragic end.

A body was located in the Manning River at Taree just after 1pm on Saturday.

It is believed to be that of a 23-year-old who allegedly fled into the Manning River at Taree in the early hours of Saturday after the car he was in was stopped by police.

Officers from the Manning Great Lakes Police District stopped a red sedan on Commerce Street about 3am on Saturday (January 22).

Police and Marine Rescue NSW boats searching the Manning River for the missing man.

As police spoke with the three occupants, a back-seat passenger allegedly ran from the car and was seen entering the Manning River.

Police followed and when the man was seen in difficulties in the water officers entered the river and tried to help him but lost sight of the man.

A search was launched involving local police assisted by members from the State Emergency Service (SES), Marine Rescue NSW and was later joined by Marine Area Command.

SES Commander William Dobb from the Forster-Pacific Palms unit was called to the scene just after 3am.

He said visibility in the river was down to just 20cm due to the flood waters.

“There is also a high presence of bull sharks at the moment because of the flood water,” Mr Dobb said.

A report will now be prepared for the information of the Coroner.

A critical incident team from Mid North Coast Police District are continuing to investigate all circumstances surrounding the incident.