Fisherman touched 'countless people's lives', family say
Friday, 17 July 2020
The family of a drowned fisherman say the “son, brother, soulmate, father and friend” touched countless people’s lives.
Searchers found the body of Dunedin man Martin Peter Suttie, 37, on Thursday, after he was reported missing while fishing at Lake Wakatipu on Sunday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Miriam Chittenden said there would be a private blessing on Friday at Lake Wakatipu.
“Since Martin went missing there has been a concerted effort from the Police National Dive Squad, the New Zealand Navy, LandSAR volunteers, and Dart River Jet staff to find Martin and provide some answers for his friends and family.”
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Police continued to offer support to the family and friends of Martin, she said.
In a statement, the family said: “On Sunday we lost a son, a brother, a soulmate, a father and a friend. We’ve all felt truly bonded by the shared love we all had for Martin, he touched countless people’s lives.
“All of us that love Martin would like to extend our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to the team of New Zealand Police, and New Zealand Navy that treated Martin and his family, children and friends with such genuine respect, dignity and kindness, we can never, ever thank you all enough.”
Thursday’s search efforts involved navy staff using robots to search under water where the Buckler Burn River meets Lake Wakatipu.
In addition to the blessing, Oraka-Aparima Runaka had placed a Rahui restriction on the lake until August 14, 2020.
“Oraka-Aparima Runaka wish to advise a Rahui restriction on recreational fishing has been placed on the Glenorchy area of Lake Whatatipu,” a notice read.
The area of Rahui is between Benmore Place and the area to the south on Lake Whakatipu, to the mouth of the Dart River.
“This Rahui acknowledges the recent, tragic loss of life in our lake.”
The death will be referred to the Coroner.