Hunting fatality in Wanaka

Wanaka Police are investigating the tragic death of a 23 yr old man following a hunting accident in the early hours of this morning.

Police were called to a farm property in the Maungawera Valley, just out side of Wanaka at about 2.30am. A 24 year old male, was out with two friends rabbit shooting.

During the hunting, the group spotted a deer and two of the party pursued the animal from the farm land into a small patch of Mänuka. The pair separated and in the course of the hunt a shot was fired that hit the deceased in the back of the head and he died at the scene.

Police are currently investigating the death on behalf of the Coroner and a concurrent criminal investigation is also proceeding.