Lake victim an ‘awesome kid’ who excelled at sport
The 12-year-old Waikouaiti boy who died in a boating accident on Blue Lake was an “awesome kid” and his death will leave a “bloody huge hole” in the family, his father says.
Jack Martin died after he was struck by a passing boat after falling from a sea biscuit in the small St Bathans lake on Saturday evening.
His father, Neil Martin, yesterday said Jack, a pupil at East Otago High School, was an “awesome, outstanding kid” who excelled at sports, making representative teams in both cricket and rugby.
His death was devastating for the family and the Waikouaiti community where he was well known.
“He was just a great kid, the littlest bloke and he’s left a bloody huge hole in the family and we will never get over it,” Mr Martin said.
The family was in Central Otago for the day and up until the accident it had been a good day.
Jack was the youngest of four children and — like his older siblings — he lived for sport.
“He was riding a push bike without
training wheels before he turned 3, he was on a motorbike when he was 4.
“He had extraordinary balance for a young lad and whatever he did he excelled at.” He had made the Otago rugby under-48kg team for the past two years and was player of the year this year.
He was also talented at cricket.
“He is supposed to be playing for North Otago at the South Island Primary Schools Cricket Tournament in Dunedin next week and he’s not going to be there.”
Mr Martin did not agree with calls for a ban on boats on the lake, saying he had “no issues” with how the lake was run.
“There was probably only two boats on the lake at the time. It was just an unfortunate, horrible accident.”
Previous reports said Jack died after being flown to Dunedin Hospital, but Mr Martin said he died at the scene.
The accident is being investigated by police and Maritime NZ.