A soldier seriously injured after falling down stairs at a Christchurch bar in the early hours of Sunday died late last night, Christchurch police said today.
He was Nicholas Franklin Rangi, 21.
He had been in the army since February 2000 and had served with the infantry regiment at Burnham Military Camp.
From
May to July this year he served with the infantry platoon supporting peacekeeping efforts in the Solomon Islands.
In today's statement police said an inquiry into the incident was continuing and included an attempt to establish the cause of the fall.
"We want to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of the Neo Club between 1am and 2am on Sunday," Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Wormald said.
"We are trying to establish the circumstances surrounding the fall to report to the coroner."
It was believed that up to 30 people were at the Neo Club at the time. Several people buying food at a nearby takeaway bar may have seen something.
Australian-born Private Rangi's platoon commander in the Solomons, Lieutenant Jacob Murray, described him as a talented soldier who displayed a great deal of potential.
Private Rangi's family, including two brothers and a sister, from the North Island flew to Christchurch on Sunday to be at his bedside, Mr Wormald said.
An army liaison officer was also working alongside the family to provide help.
- NZPA
