Updates on crimes and investigations for 14 November 2022.
Person dies following incident at Spencer Park
Police can confirm a person has died at Spencer Park in Christchurch yesterday.
The incident was reported to emergency services at around 12:45pm.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the death are ongoing.
Appeal after shot fired at Hastings bar
Police are appealing for information after a shotgun round was fired at the entrance of a Hastings bar Saturday night, narrowly missing people inside.
The incident happened on Karamu Rd South, about 1.40am, on Sunday 13 November. Police believe the shot was fired from a passing car.
The bar was busy with patrons at the time and it’s by pure chance nobody was seriously injured.
Some of the shot from the round went into the garden bar area.
Anyone with information is asked to call Police on 105 or fill out a report online using ‘Update My Report’.
Please reference 221113/9509.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Drink-drivers ‘not getting the message’
A fun night out has turned into a very real hangover for 18 people caught drink-driving in the Bay of Plenty.
Police operated two checkpoints in Rotorua on Saturday, coinciding with SIX60’s near-sold-out concert.
Some 968 drivers were stopped and breath-tested, of which 18 were found to be over the legal limit. Seven of those were caught in a 75-minute period prior to the gig.
Three vehicles were impounded, and one disqualified driver was also apprehended.
The number of drink-drivers caught is pointlessly high, Bay of Plenty Police Sergeant Mark Holmes says. On average, one out of every 53 drivers was over the limit.
“Free buses were provided for people heading to and from the gig, and Police had warned people to expect checkpoints before and after the concert. It’s incredibly frustrating we caught so many people.
“We now have a number of people facing court hearings for getting behind the wheel when they shouldn’t have.
“What people don’t realise is the impacts a drink-driving conviction can have on their work life, their home life, and their ability to travel abroad. You can face difficulties getting insurance, credit, and work visas.
“This is without mentioning the catastrophic damage a crash will do to the human body, and the trauma it inflicts on those who have to deal with that. Impaired drivers are at a higher risk of crashing, and we make no apology for checkpoints that get them off the road.
“If you’ve been drinking, don’t assume you’re ‘fine’ to drive. It’s a dumb choice to make.”
Missing Hokitika man located
Police have tonight located a 55-year-old man who had been reported missing in the Hokitika area a fortnight ago.
West Coast Police Search and Rescue – supported by Hokitika, Westport and Reefton LandSAR groups and Precision Helicopters Hokitika – undertook a search today in the Whitcombe Valley, following a sighting of the missing man’s vehicle yesterday.
The man was located at 7.30pm today in a very remote back country hut.
“He had been injured and was stranded at the hut due to his injuries. He had run out of food six days ago and was very relieved to be found!” says Sergeant Paul O’Hara, West Coast Police Search and Rescue.
The man was airlifted to Greymouth Hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.
Police would like to extend their thanks to the member of the public who got in touch yesterday with the vehicle sighting, as well as all those who assisted in the search over the last fortnight.
Diver death – Jacks Bay
A person has died while diving at Jacks Bay, in the Clutha District.
Emergency services were called to the area, at Hinahina, about 1pm.
Bystanders carried out CPR, however sadly the person was unable to be revived.
