Police are hoping to complete their investigation soon into the Poolburn crash which claimed the life of a young Irishman early on Saturday.
"We're still working our way through talking to all the witnesses and carrying out the other inquiries we need to do, but it seems quite straightforward and we hope it will be completed in the near future," Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said yesterday.
Leslie Armitage (23), of Tipperary, died two weeks into a planned year-long stay in this country to celebrate completing his tertiary studies. He was the driver of a Land Rover Discovery which failed to take a bend on a gravel road, and rolled, trapping him underneath.
Police have said alcohol and the failure to wear seat belts were factors in the accident and made the tragedy "avoidable".
An inspection of the Land Rover would also form part of the inquiry, Sgt Kerrisk said. Although the initial investigation failed to show any problem with the vehicle the Land Rover would be checked by a vehicle inspector.
Three Victim Support volunteers were offering ongoing support to those affected and would remain involved for as long as they are needed, Central Otago Victim Support president Bryan King said.
Mr Armitage and two of his compatriots had been working at Ida Valley Station for the past fortnight as farmhands.
His friend Ciaran Murphy said Mr Armitage had always planned to travel around New Zealand after completing his studies at an agricultural college in Ireland, before returning home to take over the family's sheep and beef farm.
Mr Armitage loved playing and watching rugby, and had taken part in a cricket match while working in the Ida Valley, Mr Murphy (22) said.
"He loved it here. In fact, he enjoyed it so much, we thought he wouldn't want to leave."
Mr Murphy, who met Mr Armitage when they were both at Gurteen College in Tipperary studying land management, accompanied his friend to New Zealand.
He planned to return home with his friend's body.
• The accident was the second fatal motor-vehicle crash in the Poolburn area in just over two years. Stewart Hetaraka Smith (20), of Mataura, and Lavenia Setefano (19), of Gore, died on September 18, 2008, when the van in which they were passengers left the road and rolled, 4km east of Poolburn. They were thrown from the vehicle and died at the scene.
The inquest into their deaths was held last Thursday in Alexandra and Otago-Southland coroner David Crerar reserved his finding but said the "most significant contributing factor" was that Ms Setefano and Mr Smith had not worn seat belts.
