Police have found a body in a river search for a 16-year-old boy last seen heading towards the water after reportedly taking a new psychoactive substance.

Nathan Wood, from the Paignton area, was seen naked by the river Dart at Swallowfields, Totnes, in Devon, at about 6pm on Friday.

Friends have told police he consumed a new psychoactive substance (NPS) – formerly known as legal highs – before taking his clothes off near the river.

A spokeswoman for Devon and Cornwall police said police divers discovered a body at about 12pm on Sunday. Formal identification has not taken place, but Nathan’s family have been informed.

Insp Tracy Sharam, based in Torquay, said: “We would like to thank the community in Totnes for their support while the search has been under way for Nathan over the last few days. Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult and upsetting time.”

A force spokeswoman added: “Detectives from Totnes CID will carry out a full investigation into the circumstances of the teenager’s death and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

A canoeist contacted police at about 7pm on Friday after spotting Nathan “tripping” as he headed towards the water. There had been no sightings of Nathan since then and friends reported hearing a splash.

Dive teams had been searching the Dart on Sunday after carrying out two days of land searches.

Police divers, the police helicopter, police dogs and search teams took part in the operation.

The search for the teenager – described as 5ft 6in, of slim build with reddish fair hair – had resumed on Sunday morning. Nathan’s bag, shoes, wallet, trousers and hat had earlier been recovered by police.

On Saturday, Sharam said: “A member of the public called police reporting that he had seen a teenage boy naked and in a distressed state, running towards the river.

“He was seen running through a field near the school and although no one actually saw him enter the water, his friends heard a splash.”