Police are appealing for help to identify a rider who left behind more than just skid marks after failing to stop for Police in Stoke today.

The rider was seen on a green dirtbike travelling on Main Road Stoke about 11.20am without a helmet and without a visible number plate. When signalled to stop by Police, the rider allegedly failed to do so.

Community Constable Daryl Fenemor from Tasman Police says that during the incident, the rider allegedly pulled a wheelie before losing control of the bike, crashing and sliding along the road.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergent Shane Pilmer, Northland CIB:

Police and teams searching for missing man Saxzin Steedman have recovered a body from the Wairoa River.

Police Search and Rescue, Surf Lifesaving, and Land SAR teams were today conducting extensive searches, focusing around the Northern Wairoa Bridge and located a body on the western side of the bridge at about 12.15pm.

While formal identification is still underway, Police believe the body is that of the missing 22-year-old.