An Australian tourist missed his flight home from New Zealand yesterday after being held for detoxification in the Wanaka police cells.
The 33-year-old man, of Victoria, was found early yesterday morning in a semi-conscious state in Brownston St by a member of the public, who phoned emergency services.
"His temperature had dropped to a concerning level at that time because he was out in the frost," Senior Constable Bryan Gillespie said.
The man was taken to the medical centre and assessed, before he became verbally abusive to staff. He was then taken to the Wanaka police station and kept in the cells, until he eventually sobered up about 1.30pm.
"He got himself into a real state. Unfortunately for him, he's missed his flight back to Australia as a result," Snr Const Gillespie said.
"There was no way he could have got on the plane - he was just too drunk."
The man had consumed a bottle of duty-free whisky he had bought to take home as a gift for his father.
His friends dropped his luggage at the police station before leaving for the airport and the man was now making alternative arrangements for his passage home.
"He had a bit of a sour end to his holiday."
The man would not be facing any criminal charges.
