Body discovery ‘very upsetting’
A fisherman found dead after his boat sank nearly a week ago had ‘‘loved life in all its capacity’’, his family say.
The families of Greymouth men Kieran Lynch, 22, and Jay Cairney, 43, released statements yesterday after police revealed Cairney’s body had been found by searchers on Tuesday afternoon.
The pair disappeared when the Greymouth-based fishing boat Wendy J apparently lost power and sank in poor weather near Jackson Bay, in South Westland, on September 14. Lynch remains missing. ‘‘It’s very upsetting, very very hard,’’ Cairney’s uncle, Bill Cairney, said.
‘‘[His brother] rung me last night saying he got news from police at the scene that they’d found him.’’
Police divers told Jay Cairney’s brother that he had received a ‘‘severe knock to the head’’, his uncle said.
Cairney’s two siblings, based in Australia and Christchurch, had made their way to the West Coast.
‘‘It’s very hard for them, they only lost their dad 10 months ago,’’ Bill Cairney said.
‘‘But that’s the occupation really, fishing, especially on the Tasman side of the island.
‘‘You never know what Mother Nature is going to throw at you.’’
The families of both Cairney and Lynch released statements through police yesterday.
Lynch’s family thanked police and search and rescue (SAR) volunteers who ‘‘are giving up their time and using their valuable knowledge’’.
‘‘We are very grateful for their continued efforts,’’ they said. ‘‘We would also like to pass our heartfelt condolences and thoughts to the Cairney family at this sad time. ‘‘We are still hopeful for the safe return of our loved and treasured Kieran.’’
Cairney’s family said he was a ‘‘loving uncle to Jesse, Ebony, Holly, Tess, Jo, Zac, Brittany and Norton Cairney and loved life in all its capacity, generous to a fault’’.