New Year's Day horror as dead body pulled from river in UK beauty spot

Officers and paramedics were sent to the River Waveney near the scenic Beccles Marshes in the early hours, where a body was pulled from the water close to a flyover bridge

An urgent police probe is underway after a body was discovered in a river on the Norfolk Broads.

Officers and paramedics were sent to the River Waveney near the scenic Beccles Marshes in the early hours. Fishermen at the scene said a body was pulled from the water close to a flyover bridge, with cordons quickly set up.

Several police cars and forensic vans lined the riverside as officers sealed off parts of a nearby footpath. A boat owner said the disturbing find was made in the water just inches from their moored vessel. Suffolk Police later said the body of a woman, believed to be in her 60s or 70s, had been recovered from the river and they were treating her death as "unexplained".

One man, who travelled to the water to go fishing, said: "They brought a body out of the river this morning. We got here at about 7.30am, and there was everything here - police, fire engines and ambulances. Then, later on, they put the police tape up, and they're not letting anyone through."

Another man who was fishing said: "I heard that they found a body, but I've only just got here, so I don't know anymore than that."

A Suffolk Police spokesperson said: "Police are appealing for information after a woman was found deceased in a river in Beccles.

"Officers were called by a member of the public at just after 8am this morning, Thursday 1 January, reporting there was a woman in the River Waveney at The Quay, under the bridge. Ambulance crews also attended and recovered the woman from the river, where she was confirmed to be deceased.

"The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but there is currently no evidence to suggest it is suspicious. The Coroner has been notified. Police have not yet been able to identify who the woman is and are appealing for help from the public to establish what her final movements were.

"Detectives would like to hear from anyone who may have seen a woman in the vicinity of The Quay prior to 8am this morning, matching the following description: white, aged between 60 & 70, of petite build, with short curly brown/copper hair.

"She was wearing a cream cardigan, blue top, white jeans, white boots and was possibly carrying a pink coat, torch and umbrella".

Anyone with any information is asked to contact East CID at Lowestoft Police Station, quoting reference CAD 135 of January 1.