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.
Name release: Diving incident, Owaka Heads, Hinahina voxy.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from voxy.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The crash on Monday also involved a Fonterra tanker. Police are still investigating all three fatal crashes. Eade said before police finished investigating the causes could not be known, but people were making bad decisions when driving, like speeding or not paying attention.
John Hawkins/Stuff Slow down and get home to your families, Eade said. The effects on the first responders was difficult, he said, but support from Fire and Emergency New Zealand was good. The fatal crashes on November 20 and December 28 happened about six-and-a-half kilometres apart. The holiday period has taken a sombre tone in the south. On Sunday, 23-year-old Jake Bridson died free diving in the Catlins.