Tributes for Roxburgh man
THE Roxburgh Volunteer Fire Brigade paid tribute yesterday to its station officer and secretary, who died on Saturday.
Ian Gregory Wells (54), a homekill butcher, died after getting into trouble while diving in Doubtful Sound on Saturday, police said in a statement.
He was with a party of nine aboard a boat in Doubtful Sound, near Bauza Island.
Police were alerted about 1.45pm that Mr Wells had been recovered from the sea by two fellow divers, but he was unresponsive.
A doctor on a nearby boat attempted to resuscitate Mr Wells but was unsuccessful. The other two divers were flown to Soutland Hospital as a precaution.
The Roxburgh brigade’s post on Facebook said ‘‘You will be missed from our lives, our com munity and our Brigade.
‘‘Thank you for your courage, dedication and commitment to serving the people of the Teviot Valley . . . your passion for the brigade and the care and friendship that you gave to every member’’.
Mr Wells joined the fire service in 1980 and had served in the Tapanui and Balclutha brigades before joining the Roxburgh brigade in 2007.
He became a station officer in 2009 and was said to have helped improve the operational standards and safety of the brigade.
Mr Wells received his gold star for 25 years of service from the fire service in 2011.