The death of a 52-year-old Queenstown man at the Shotover River delta on Saturday night has been referred to the coroner.

Sergeant Kate Pirovano of Queenstown police said the man, who was towing a trailer, is believed to have crashed off the road at low speed. The man died at the scene.

Meanwhile, a search and rescue operation was launched on Saturday night after a kayaker navigating the Nevis arrived at the confluence two hours later than expected. Cromwell police launched the operation and a helicopter eventually located the man at the confluence at 8pm, Ms Pirovano said.

Queenstown police arrested four party-goers for a range of offences during the long weekend.

An intoxicated man who was refused entry to a bar in Queenstown at 11pm on Friday was arrested for disorderly behaviour after he lashed out at his friends as they tried to help him walk home. Four hours later a 41-year-old New Zealand man was arrested outside Skybar for disorderly behaviour after he became aggressive when he was removed from the bar by staff.

A 28-year-old Irish man who lives in Christchurch was arrested for fighting in the Queenstown Mall at 4.30am on Saturday. The man was also charged with resisting arrest. A man celebrating his stag do in the resort was arrested at 12.40am yesterday when he lashed out at door staff after being refused entry to a bar. The man became more aggressive when police arrived and tried to head-butt an officer, Ms Pirovano said.

A Russian man who was found wet, cold and passed out in Marine Pde at 3.30am yesterday was taken back to the cells to sober up before being released, she said.

Police are also investigating CCTV footage after fire alarms were set off in the Man St car park at 2.13am on Saturday.

- © Fairfax NZ News

Comments