A woman says she saw a man acting strangely and struggling to walk on a bridge across the River Lea, near the spot where a body was found.

Essex Police were called to Highbridge Street in Waltham Abbey at about midday on Wednesday (October 7) after a man’s body was discovered in the river.

The incident is not being treated as suspicious.

Lisa King from Abridge was walking in the road across the river at about 12.10pm, when she saw a man who she said appeared to be drunk.

As she went past with her friend he was staggering and clinging to railings, she said.

Ms King said: “I was walking from McDonalds to Waltham Cross and he was struggling across the bridge.

“He was holding on to the railings and we just walked past him.”

She said the man was “swerving” as he walked along the road above the river.

“I was upset afterwards thinking I should have done something. He was struggling, trying to get to cars, holding on to the bars for safety.”

She added: “It is so tragic really.”

Ms King contacted the police on Wednesday evening and told them what she saw.