Police have named the possum hunter who died in Central Otago yesterday after being crushed by a boulder as Deane Shute, 49, from Owaka, south of Balclutha.
Oamaru police Sergeant Wayne Brew said Mr Shute was well known in the Otago area and was a long time memberof the Owaka Search and Rescue squad. "He will be sadly missed".
Mr Brew said it appeared that while working alone on an Omarama farm, a large boulder had come loose on a steep slope, trapping Mr Shute beneath it.
He suffered fatal injuries and was located by his work colleagues about 3.15pm.
Rescuers spent hours freeing him from beneath the boulder.
