The death of a man who drowned while swimming in a Bay of Plenty river is being investigated by the Coroner.

The man, who has not been named yet, died after he and two other men got into trouble while swimming in the Kaituna River yesterday afternoon.

A man drowned while swimming near Okere Falls yesterday afternoon. File photo.

Police were notified after the incident shortly after 1.30pm.

'Two of the men were recovered. One in a serious condition. The third was not located,” says Senior Sergeant Denton Grimes.

Rotorua Search and Rescue Team attended the location and planned a rescue operation to locate the missing male.

'At 3.40pm the body of the male was recovered from the water. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man.”

The two other men remain in Rotorua Hospital.