A distinguished mathematician who died when his car crashed off a bridge in south Westland probably fell asleep at the wheel, a coroner has found.
Charles Edward Miller Pearce, died on June 8, 2012, after his rental car drove through a wooden bridge railing on the Manakaiaua River, about 20km
south of Fox Glacier.
The 72-year-old, originally from New Zealand but a resident in Adelaide since the 1960s, had flown into Christchurch Airport and then on to Hokitika Airport, where he picked up a rental car and drove towards Haast.
The University of Adelaide mathematician, who had also published a book with his wife, Frances Pearce, on Pacific pre-history, was on his way to Mahitaki (Bruce Bay) to speak to Maori about a survey of the bay to find evidence of early settlements. He was also due to give a talk in Christchurch four days later.
His car was found upside down in the river by a passing motorist about 12.20am.
