Body found, believed to be missing NSW man

A body discovered in water in regional NSW is believed to be that of a man missing after a Christmas Day car accident.

John Shaw had lunch with his family and was last seen leaving a property at Taree about 3.30pm on December 25.

His white ute was discovered on its roof about 25km east of Mount Seaview, west of Port Macquarie, about 2.30am the following day.

Searches were unsuccessful for almost a week until December 31, when police located Mr Shaw's clothes about 25km from the crash site, on Myrtle Scrub Rd.

At the time, police said it was believed Mr Shaw became disoriented after the crash and wandered off.

"Having been involved in a couple of searches, you just don't know how people react following a crash," Sergeant David Walker told AAP.

Police located a man's body in water at nearby Yarrowitch about midday on Tuesday and, although the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be Mr Shaw.

Investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are under way.