DETECTIVES who pulled the body of a man from the River Ouse in York are still mystified about his identity.

Officers at North Yorkshire Police have confirmed they are no nearer to naming a man seen falling into the river close to Scarborough Railway Bridge last Friday.

A post-mortem examination has confirmed the cause of death was drowning.

Today, Chief Inspector Howard Harding today ruled out foul play as a factor.

He has urged anyone with information about the man's identity to come forward and put a name to him.

Chf Insp Harding said: ""There are no suspicious circumstances and we believe it is a tragic suicide."

Mr Harding said the dead man had a metal plate inserted at the nape of his neck.

"It had been put there during recent surgery. We still don't know who he is, and we need people to come forward and help us identify him."

The man was white and aged between 50 to 70. He is about 5ft 9in tall and slim. He had receding grey hair and a large surgical scar which stretched from his Adam's apple to his right ear.

When he was seen falling into the river, he was wearing black shoes, without socks, and turned-up greyish-green trousers.

His T-shirt and jumper had the word Gabicci printed on them.

Anybody with information is asked to contact York police on (01904) 631321.

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, October 16, 2001