Diver died after hair caught in seaweed, family says

File photo / NZ Herald

A Christchurch man died after his long hair became entangled in kelp while diving for mussels during a boat party on Lyttelton Harbour, his family says.

Robert Ihimaere Bernard Campbell, 49, and about 20 friends and family members were having an end-of-year celebration on the boat on Saturday, The Press reported.

Mr Campbell's brother, Murray Campbell, said when the boat was off Godley Head about 6pm his younger brother decided to strip off and dive in to look for mussels and kelp.

"Because he's got long hair down to his bum, he would've got his hair caught in the kelp when he went down."

Mr Campbell was later seen floating entangled in kelp, his brother said.

He and others jumped in and dragged Mr Campbell on to rocks and tried to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead at Christchurch Hospital.

- NZPA