Death caused by drowning: coroner

Trevor Hawke
Trevor Hawke
Otago Southland Coroner David Crerar has found Trevor Lloyd Hawke (70), of Wanaka, died as a result of drowning, on November 17, 2011.

In his decision released yesterday, Mr Crerar said Mr Hawke fell from his yacht in Roy's Bay due to a quick wind shift, was unable to deploy his life jacket and was overcome by the cold water.

He sank rapidly to the floor of the lake.

Mr Crerar noted a Maritime New Zealand report that the CO2 cartridge in Mr Hawke's life jacket was "not in position correctly" and was one reason why it did not work.

And he also noted an email from importers Survitec Group that the life jacket had been fired previously "but that the replacement cylinder had not been correctly secured" and was not in the correct position.

Mr Crerar said he could not blame either the manufacturer or Mr Hawke for the life jacket's failure.

"The exact reason why the personal flotation device [life jacket] did not have a CO2 canister attached, as it was designed to, must be left open."

He recommended Maritime New Zealand continue its efforts to ensure wearing life jackets was made compulsory in water activities.

He hoped life jacket manufacturer RFD would co-operate with an education programme to draw attention to the dangers of CO2 cylinders failing.

- mark.price@odt.co.nz

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