Man killed on vessel identified
The man who died on a Sanford fishing vessel off the South Island on Wednesday was Taranaki man Steffan Antony Stewart, police have confirmed.
The 26-year-old, from New Plymouth, was fatally injured on the factory deck of the San Granit about 4am.
The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) opened an investigation following the incident on the New Zealandregistered factory vessel near Banks Peninsula in Canterbury.
Investigators started to gather evidence in the inquiry into Stewart’s death yesterday.
‘‘Our thoughts go out to the family of Mr Stewart at this sad time,’’ a police statement said.
Stewart attended New Plymouth Boys’ High School.
PrimePort Timaru chief executive Phil Melhopt said the ship arrived in the Timaru port, where it is based, late Wednesday afternoon. He had been advised of the incident and the TAIC investigation.
Stewart’s death happened a day before Sanford reported an annual net profit of $42.3 million, up 12.9 per cent on last year.
A statement outlining the company’s full year results, released yesterday, said the increase was ‘‘largely driven by nontrading items and, in particular, the insurance settlement relating to the Kaiko¯ ura earthquake damage caused to our Havelock mussel processing facility’’.
Sanford spokeswoman Fiona MacMillan said the announcement came at an ‘‘incredibly sad time’’.
‘‘As this report is released, we are deeply saddened by the death of one of our crew members on the fishing vessel the San Granit. We extend our sincere condolences to the crew member’s family, friends, and colleagues.’’
Sanford would not comment further as ‘‘the investigation was still ongoing’’.
In a statement, a TAIC spokesperson said its investigators had started gathering evidence yesterday.
‘‘At this stage, evidence collection is broad to support the many routes that the investigation may follow. The initial focus is on gathering evidence that could disappear or change. This includes recording the accident scene and interviewing witnesses.’’
The spokesperson said investigators would also gather maintenance, records and documents related to Sanford, and key personnel at the company. Police said the death was not suspicious and would be referred to the coroner.