Canterbury Police have released the name of the man whose body was recovered yesterday (Sunday 16 November 2014) as 59 year old Edward Ernest BRANDON.
Emergency services were alerted by the vessel’s owner that Mr BRANDON had fallen overboard from the Ida Marion, a commercial fishing vessel owned by the Lyttleton Fishing Company, at approximately 3.20pm yesterday. The vessel was approximately 9km offshore from the Kaitorete Spit, south of Banks Peninsula at the time of the incident. Mr BRANDON and his wife were fishing alone.
A search was launched immediately involving Police, Coastguard, Search and Rescue and a rescue helicopter. The man’s body was recovered a short time later close to where he entered the water. Mr BRANDON’s wife was airlifted from the vessel but was uninjured. A skipper and Police Officer were winched aboard the Ida Marion which returned to Lyttleton Port under its own power.
The death has been referred to the Coroner. Victim Support are working with the next of kin.
------------------------------
Mr BRANDON’s wife and his employer have provided the following statements and attached photographs for media to use in relation this incident:
Mr Brandon’s wife says “My husband loved the sea and spent many years working out of Lyttleton as a commercial fisherman without incident. His family and friends are shocked at this tragic loss and ask for privacy while we come to terms with living without him. We would like to thank everyone for their support and the Police, Westpac Rescue Helicopter and Maritime New Zealand for their quick response.”
The Director of the Lyttleton Fishing Company, Dick Brown, says “Eddie is a very experienced fisherman and is quite simply a top man. He first came to sea with me in 1975 and has been the skipper of the Ida Marion, without incident, for a very long time. Over the years Eddie’s family have become part of our family too and on behalf of all of his colleagues I’d like to offer our condolences and support to Eddies family at this very sad time.
------------------------------
Police have interviewed Mr BRANDON’s wife who was on the vessel with her husband at the time.
Police and Maritime Safety investigators will conduct a scene examination today (Monday 17 November 2014).
Investigations into the circumstances surrounding this tragedy are ongoing. It is not known at this stage how the man came to fall overboard.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404
