A quadbike crash in South Otago last night claimed the life
of a ''marvellous young man'' recently appointed the head boy
of the Catlins Area School.
Balclutha police today named the deceased as Rowan Cai Parker
(16).
Emergency services were called to a farm property in the
Chaslands area about 7pm last night following reports one of
three motorbike riders had lost control and driven over a
cliff between Marks Bay and Wallace Bay.
Rowan's body was later winched from rocks 150m below the farm
trail.
School principal Alex MacCreadie said the community was
''shellshocked . . . no-one expected this, it is one of those
terrible accidents.
Rowan was named the head boy for next year at the school,
which has 180 pupils, at a prizegiving last month.
''He was thrilled he was very much looking forward to it.
''I had a marvellous young man who was just starting to
stride out and do some wonderful things . . . and now I
don't.''
Mr MacCreadie said he had visitied the close-knit family, who
were ''absolutely devastated''.
Inquiries are continuing into the crash, and the case has
been referred to the coroner.
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.