22 Feb 2010

Man dies in fall after concert

9:58 pm on 22 February 2010

A 47-year-old man has died after apparently falling from a bluff into the Tutaekuri River, near Napier, following a concert at a winery.

Emergency services were called to Sacred Hill Winery about 10.30pm on Sunday.

Sergeant Geoff Strother says a co-ordinated effort which included police, fire, ambulance and event staff, resulted in a rescue helicopter recovering a body from the Tutaekuri River.

Mr Strother says it appears the man fell about 100 metres into the river as people who had attended the concert were making their way home.

A spokesperson for promoter Civic Events says the company is co-operating fully with police.

Winery owner Tony Bish says the promoter was responsible for security at the concert and the cliff which the man fell off was fenced.