Coast man killed in car crash, body recovered from vehicle in river

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Police on Thursday recovered the body of a man from a car that had left the Matahiia Road inland from Ruatoria and plunged into the Mata River.

They were notified at around 3pm on Wednesday that a car had been seen in the river.

Police said it was not possible to get to the car that afternoon due to weather conditions and its location.

“There were no indications that there was anyone in the vehicle at that time,” a police spokesman said.

A scene guard was mounted on the road above where the car was found overnight Wednesday.

“The car had floated about 300 metres down the river from where it left the road,” the spokesman said. “It had come to rest on a small island in the middle of the river.”

The Eastland Rescue Helicopter was called up from Gisborne on Thursday. It landed on the island near the car.

“We were then able to search the vehicle and found the deceased man inside.”

The man’s body was recovered and flown to Gisborne Hospital.

There were no other people in the vehicle.

Police and Victim Support have been supporting the man’s family. He was described as a local man in his 50s.

“He was a well-respected member of the Ruatoria community,” the spokesman said.

The Serious Crash Unit has started an investigation into the circumstances of the crash on behalf of the Coroner.

Police said yesterday they were not in a position to release the man’s name at this time.