Body in ditch 'not suspicious'

Police say they are not treating as suspicious the death of a man whose body was found in a roadside ditch near Hastings last night.

The body of 59-year-old Roger James Williams, of Havelock North, was found beside his cycle on the verge of State Highway 2 at Whakatu about 9.20pm yesterday.

Police said that they had ruled out that he was a victim of a hit and run.

"There are several things we are yet to look into -- including some medical issues -- but at this stage we are not treating the death as suspicious," Senior Sergeant Dave Greig said.

He said it appeared Mr Williams may have been on his way to Clive to visit a relative last night.

His body was discovered by a woman motorist who noticed his bicycle leaning against a road marker at 7.45pm.

The bicycle was still there when she returned on her way home at 9.15pm.

She stopped and investigated, finding Mr Williams dead in the ditch.

Police are waiting on autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

- NZPA