2 Feb 2022

Man who died after ute and trailer plunge into Lake Dunstan named

1:43 pm on 2 February 2022

Cromwell man Mark Gary Miller, 56, has been named by police as the person who died after a ute and trailer crashed off a bridge into Lake Dunstan on Monday evening.

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Deadman's Point Bridge at Cromwell, Central Otago. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Emergency services were called to Deadman's Point Bridge on State Highway 8B around 5pm on Monday evening following reports of a vehicle plunging into the water.

Police said the national dive squad started searching early Tuesday afternoon and found the vehicle's sole occupant.

The vehicle came off the highway on the Cromwell side of the bridge, which crosses over the lake where it meets the Clutha River.

Police said the ute was travelling out of the township at the time.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said both the ute and trailer were submerged, upside down, about 5m under water.

Police extended sympathies to Miller's loved ones.

An investigation into the crash continues.