Death of man in paddock 'natural causes'

A 63-year-old man found dead in a Christchurch paddock yesterday (Sunday) appears to have died of natural causes, police said today.

The man, from Lincoln, outside Christchurch, had been feeding livestock in a paddock on Sparks Rd, Hoon Hay, yesterday morning before he was found dead.

A serious crash team had been investigating whether a truck also found in the paddock was involved in the death.

But a police spokesman today said their inquiries had ruled out a link.

He said: "There is nothing suspicious about the death. It appears the man has died of natural causes."

The death has now been referred to the coroner.