Police have recovered the body of one person from a car that crashed into the Rangitata Diversion Race near Methven.

Emergency services received a report of a car that went into the canal off Pudding Hill Road shortly after 1am.

Search and Rescue staff recovered the car from the water earlier today.

The body of the passenger was located in the vehicle. 

The driver has not been located.

The Police National Dive Squad has been deployed to continue the search for the driver today.

A formal identification process is underway to identify the deceased and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.