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Nearby helicopter not used in search for missing diver in Catlins
13 Jan, 2021 07:21 PM
3 minutes to read
By: Richard Davidson
A Catlins bach owner believes politics may have hampered a helicopter search for a Heriot man who died while freediving near his Newhaven property last month.
Jake Bridson, 23, of Heriot, died at popular Catlins snorkelling spot Owaka Heads about noon on December 27, after he became separated from a fellow diver.
An Otago Regional Rescue Helicopter arrived from Dunedin about 1pm, and located Bridson s body by about 1.40pm.
However, Newhaven bach owner David Pearson said this week a second, charter helicopter was also present from about noon, only 1km from the search area.