25 Jun 2012

Dead sailor had been drinking

6:00 am on 25 June 2012

Police in the Cook Islands say it appears alcohol and speed were both factors in the death of a New Zealand sailor following a motorcycle crash overnight Friday.

William Paratini Delamere, 22, had been serving on HMNZS Otago on patrol in the Pacific.

Sergeant Tuaine Maunga says Mr Delamere had a blood alcohol level of 204 milligrammes per litre. The legal limit is 80 milligrammes.

He says Mr Delamare had been drinking at a bar with friends before riding home on his motorcycle.

Sergeant Maunga says he was travelling 50 to 60 kilometres per hour when his motorcycle struck a traffic island and was thrown off receiving very serious injuries.

The Defence Force says it is assisting with the investigation, and Mr Delamere's body will be brought back to New Zealand next week.