The digger became submerged in the Waimatā River on Monday morning. (File photo) Photo: Ben Cowper/Gisborne Herald
Police are working to recover a person from a digger submerged in a river near Gisborne.
The digger fell into the Waimatā River while working on a private property, at 10.20am on Monday.
The Police National Dive Squad were still at the scene by 3pm.
The Gisborne Herald reported the 30-tonne excavator was working on a property about 20km up Waimatā Valley Rd, past Utting Rd, about 100 metres off the road.
It reported the digger had tipped over into the water, and the operator had since died.
Police had not yet confirmed the condition of the occupant, but reiterated the time the digger became submerged.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they sent two trucks to the incident, but referred all other inquiries to the police.
Police said WorkSafe had been notified.