It was not known how a 70-year-old man whose body was discovered near Keyhole Rock at Aramoana in March last year got into difficulties and drowned, while diving for seafood, but the death was not suspicious, the coroner for the Otago-Southland region has found.
In his formal findings released last week, David Crerar said Aramoana man Robert Wilson's body was found by a surfer on the beach near Keyhole Rock on March 7, 2008.
Tests found no evidence of alcohol or prescribed or other drugs in Mr Wilson's blood and police did not consider there was anything suspicious in connection with the death.
Evidence from a family member was that Mr Wilson was an experienced free-diver who could not swim for long distances.
He would free dive for paua off "the Mole" and would also gather mussels at Keyhole Rock.
Mr Crerar found that while diving for seafood Mr Wilson had got into difficulties, for ra eason or reasons unknown, and had drowned.
