Man dies at taxi stand

WILL HINE/Southland Times

CENTRE OF ATTENTION: The police cordon in Camp St, Queenstown, yesterday. Mr Smith's body is inside the tent.

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An altercation between two men at a Queenstown taxi stand on Thursday night has left one dead and the other in custody.

Mark James Smith, 47, was knocked unconscious and attempts to revive him by community guides at the scene in Camp St failed.

Police were called about 11.30pm.

A friend yesterday described the father of two sons, aged 19 and 11, as a "nice guy who would do anything for you".

Mr Smith was in charge of the roofing division at Laser Plumbing. His wife, Fiona, works in the office at Queenstown Primary School.

A 34-year-old Queenstown man was arrested nearby and appeared in court yesterday afternoon charged with assault. He was granted interim name suppression, because he had been unable to inform his family of the situation.

Sergeant Keith Newell opposed bail, saying that while the defendant had no previous convictions the charge related to a serious matter.

No application for bail was made and the defendant was remanded in custody to appear in the Invercargill District Court on November 27.

The crime scene was cordoned off for most of yesterday while forensic inquiries were made, and Mr Smith's body remained covered by a tent. About eight businesses were affected by the cordon, and the blocking of Camp St caused traffic problems in the central business district.

The Night 'N Day Foodstore was forced to close for much of the day but manager Colin Robson said dealing with the loss of a life was far more important that the loss of business.

Otago Rural area commander Inspector Mike Cook said the case cut across the stereotype that alcohol-related crime involved only young people.

Police wanted information from anyone who might have seen a fight at the Camp St cab rank or anything that happened in the lead-up to it in The Mall or Morrison's bar in Beach St.

At least one of the parties involved had been at a social function at Morrison's, beneath SkyCity Queenstown Casino, earlier in the evening, Mr Cook said.

Further charges may be laid, depending on results of an autopsy and information from witnesses, Mr Cook said.

While police had previously expressed concern that escalating drunken violence in Queenstown, particularly by tourists, raised the prospect of a homicide sooner rather than later, Mayor Clive Geddes said there was "nothing particular about this crime and Queenstown".

He described it as "an unfortunate crime of circumstance" that could occur in any small town in New Zealand.

The actions of the community guides at the scene won praise from Senior Sergeant John Fookes.

Witnesses told The Southland Times that the guides – on their first night of the summer season patrolling the streets and helping police combat late-night crime – played a key role.

Two guides saw the altercation, moved Mr Smith from the road to the footpath and attempted to resuscitate him before medical help arrived.

They then identified to police the alleged assailant, who was standing nearby.

Mr Fookes said police were "very pleased" with the work of the guides in dealing with the situation and then assisting to secure the area.

He said the use of the guides highlighted the importance of community help in dealing with law and order.

Mr Geddes also saluted the work of the guides.

"It is the intention of the community guide role to be able to assist the public and the police. Last evening the guides were on hand to give valuable assistance and support to emergency services. I'd like to acknowledge that contribution."

- © Fairfax NZ News