Alcohol may have been a factor in the death of a 54-year-old Nelson man who drowned after falling from a wharf while fishing in Kaikoura last night, police say.
The man was fishing from the town's new wharf with a friend about 11.15pm when he lost his footing and fell into the water.
Senior Sergeant Peter Payne said his friend saw him holding on to a wharf pile and ran to raise the alarm.
Searchers on the Kaikoura Coastguard vessel found the man's body at 12.15am, about 100 metres from where he fell in.
"The victim was wearing heavy clothing and work boots,'' Mr Payne said.
"It appears alcohol may have also been a factor.''
The man's name would not be released until next of kin had been advised.
