By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 16:00 GMT, 1 January 2026 | Updated: 16:00 GMT, 1 January 2026

The body of an elderly woman has been pulled from a river in the Norfolk Broads. 

Suffolk Police are investigating after the unidentified woman was discovered in a New Year's Day tragedy.

Emergency services were called to River Wavey, near picturesque Beccles Marshes, earlier today.

In a statement, Suffolk Police 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'.

A force 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.

Emergency services were called to River Wavey, near picturesque Beccles Marshes, earlier today

Police have launched an investigation and have said the woman's death is currently being treated as 'unexplained'

A cordon remains in place at the scene and police are appealing for help to identify the woman

'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'.

Earlier fishermen told how a body was recovered by officers from the water near a flyover bridge.

The scene has been cordoned off while investigations take place.

Three police cars and a forensics van could be seen at the riverside while police tape has been stretched across sections of a footpath.

A boatowner said the woman's body was found in the water right next to their vessel.

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.