Tetraplegic man's body found in river

Police divers have found the body of tetraplegic man Paul John Fraser, missing since Tuesday morning, in the Waikato River.

The last reported sighting of Mr Fraser, 53, who operated his wheel chair with head movements, was on Garden Place in Hamilton.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Page, of Hamilton, said Mr Fraser's body was found with his wheelchair shortly after midday.

"The dive team found Mr Fraser in an area of the river off Memorial Park and his death has now been referred to the coroner," Mr Page said.

Earlier, Mr Fraser,'s wife Diane told the Waikato Times her husband had become frustrated with life after being diagnosed with a rare nervous system syndrome five years ago.

Mr Fraser controlled his wheelchair with head movements and was last seen heading north on Victoria St yesterday after telling his wife he was off to the library. Mrs Fraser believed the 53-year-old was heading toward the river.

"He wasn't going to get better. He used to be a fit and active man."

Mr Fraser had been a registered nurse for more than 20 years and had worked at Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit.

However, about five years ago while the couple were working in the Middle East he was diagnosed with the rare Guillain-Barre syndrome, where the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. It can develop quickly; in a matter of hours or days.

"He got it very severely. While most people recover Paul was in the low percentage that don't get any better."

The couple returned to Hamilton and Mrs Fraser gave up her job at Breast Screening Midlands to care for him.

"I fed him, washed him, took care of him. He was so well looked after, he was a treasure and I just think he just wanted to go."

Mrs Fraser said her husband, who was born in Auckland, was in a good mood the day he went missing, telling her and his caregiver that he wanted to go to the library while they shopped.

"I think he probably planned it because he said he was going to the library. We never leave him on his own because he can't do anything, he can only use his head... But I thought he would be okay. But he didn't go to the library, which makes me think he may have planned to do something."

Mrs Fraser said the couple met 11 years ago in the United Arab Emirates while doing what they both loved doing best, travelling the world.

A year later they were married and continued to work and travel to many parts of the world including South America and India.

An emotional Mrs Fraser told the Waikato Times of her fond love for her husband "my soulmate".

"He was my whole world. I believe in my heart that he's no longer alive but I just want to find him. He was my soulmate, my everything and we just clicked. We were old, but single and had a lot in common."

Mrs Fraser said she had been overwhelmed by the support from Hamilton police in their bid to find her husband.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News