The man who died after his vehicle left the road and became submerged in Lake Dunstan yesterday was the kind of person who would "do anything for anybody".
The Otago Daily Times understands Mark Miller (57) was the driver whose body was recovered from the vehicle by Police National Dive Squad members earlier today.
Best friend Paul Stockdale told Stuff Miller was a "rough diamond" with a "heart of gold" who didn't hesitate to help people out.
“That's the sort of guy Mark was – he would help anybody, he would do anything for anybody. You wouldn’t even have to ask him, and he’d help out,” he said.
Stuff reported Miller was due to receive his bravery medal from the prime minister next month in recognition of his efforts to help people who were wounded in the March 15 terror attack.
The dive squad arrived this morning after the incident, which a Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman yesterday said occurred about 5.15pm.
There was no damage to the bridge, and the vehicle appeared to have missed the approach to the bridge - on State Highway 8B on the Cromwell side - and gone into the water, he said.
An Otago Daily Times reporter at the scene today confirmed about 12.30pm that dive squad members were at the scene.
Three divers were in the water, and about 1.20pm people watching from the bridge were asked to leave.
About 2pm a body had been recovered. Miller was the sole occupant of the ute, which had been towing a trailer.
The trailer was recovered about 2.50pm, and dive squad members managed to recover the vehicle shortly after.
Next of kin have identified the body.
Police said no further details would be provided until an official identification process had been completed.
Enquiries on behalf of the coroner are under way.
- Oscar Francis/Shannon Thomson/ODT Online
