Police are urging people not to mix alcohol and swimming after a man drowned in the Waikato River.
Police said the man, who was in his 40s, died after getting into trouble while swimming in the Waikato River about 4.45pm today.
They said he swam across the river near Malcolm Street, in the Hamilton suburb of Riverlea, and got into difficulty on his return.
Senior Sergeant Peter van de Wetering said despite attempts from paramedics the man could not be revived.
He said the man had been with a group of friends and had been drinking before his swim.
"There's clear evidence to suggest that he had been drinking. We just urge people to be so careful.
"It's very dangerous mixing alcohol with the water, especially when it's the Waikato River. It's an incredibly dangerous river," he said.
The matter has been referred to a coroner and police are in the process of notifying his next of kin.
