Hunter charged after fatal shooting of soldier in Ruahine Range

FATAL: A man has been charged over the hunting death of 23-year-old Danny Jordan in March. PHOTO FILE

A Hastings hunter has been charged over the fatal shooting of a young soldier in the Ruahine Range.

The 56 year old will appear in the Hastings District Court next week, charged with careless use of a firearm causing the death of Danny Jordan.

Danny Jordon was based at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North.

He was killed while sitting down on a Department of Conservation track at the end of March.

The 23 year old was resting with two friends on the Sparrowhawk Bivouac track, when he was shot by another hunter in a separate group.

A dog was also hit by fragments of bullets.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Restieaux says the 56-year-old Hastings man has been charged after allegedly firing one shot which hit Danny Jordan.

He says the man, who is an experienced hunter, is devastated and has been thoroughly cooperative throughout the investigation.

Detective Restieaux says the investigation have been made more complicated by aspects such as conducting a scene examination in a remote area.