Father in court over son's death

File photo / Greg Bowker

The man charged with careless driving causing the death of his 3 year-old son has appeared in court.

Aarush Macwan died the Toyota Hiace he was in rolled backwards into a freezing Otago lake during a holiday with his parents Macwan and his mother Kinnary Macwan on April 21.

His father, Ashish Macwan appeared at the Manukau District Court this morning where he was remanded on bail.

The 32 year-old sales representative had first appeared in the Alexandra District Court but his case has now been shifted north.

Macwan's family had been on holiday in the South Island and heading to Queenstown when they stopped next to the lake near Cromwell so Mr Macwan could stretch his legs.

The van went into the lake.

The adults and an 11 year-old scrambled free with the help of passers-by.

But Aarush was trapped in the back seat with his safety belt on, 5 metres below the surface.

Despite repeated rescue attempts from passers-by - including Central Otago mayor Tony Lepper - he could not be saved.

Rescuers tried to give the boy CPR when Aarush's body was freed but he could not be revived.