Shocked commuters watched on in horror as the body of a woman was fished from the River Kennet.
Police officers rushed to the banks of the river this morning following reports of a woman in the water.
Sadly she was pronounced dead at the scene near Wokingham Waterside Centre in Reading, Berkshire, just after the River Thames splits into the smaller river.
A black tent was erected to shield the body from public view as forensics crews arrived.
It is believed the woman had entered the River Kennet from King's Road in Reading town centre and travelled east along the river to where it meets the Thames.
The incident began at around 5.44am, when rescue crews from Caversham Road fire station were called to the scene.
They confirmed the body was found around 100 metres from Blake’s Lock.
A file was being prepared for the Berkshire Coroner and an inquest was due to be opened and adjourned pending a full investigation to determine how the woman came to enter the water.
The woman's next of kin had not yet been informed as it was not yet known who she was.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We received a call at around 5.45am this morning to reports of a woman in the water.
"Officers attended the scene and entered the water and found that the woman was sadly deceased.
"At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained and inquiries are ongoing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
"A scene watch is in place whilst inquiries are ongoing."
