Falls victim ‘physically fit’

The man found dead at a Northland waterfall was ‘‘fun to be around’’ and ‘‘fit’’ according to friends who saw him just before he disappeared.

Yesterday afternoon the Police Dive Squad at Whangarei Falls recovered a body, believed to be that of Philippines-born and Auckland-based Kenny Espinosa, 26, who’d been missing since Friday afternoon.

Benjamin Baril said he saw his best friend spit out water and struggle for breath before going under. He was in the middle of the swimming spot when he started to struggle.

‘‘He’s physically fit and we did not expect this to happen,’’ Baril said.