Name released in hunting crash fatality

Police have released the name of the man who died in a vehicle crash during a hunting trip in North Canterbury yesterday [Friday 25 April].

He was John Charles Percival, aged 56, of Christchurch.

Mr Percival was the driver of a utility vehicle which was on a recreational hunting expedition in a remote area near Mt Donald in North Canterbury.

Police say the vehicle left a farm track on steep hill country and rolled downhill several times. Mr Percival was pronounced dead at the scene. Initial inquiries indicate he had not been wearing a seat belt.

Two teenage males [Note: not related to the deceased] were in the hunting party with the deceased. A 15-year old, who was a passenger in the vehicle cab, received minor injuries. He was taken to hospital by Westpac Rescue Helicopter but was discharged shortly afterwards.

The third man, aged 17, was travelling on the deck of the vehicle and did not receive significant injuries.

The crash is believed to have occurred at around 10.00am. Members of the party were able to contact emergency services by cellphone, and local Fire, Ambulance and Police services were lifted in to the remote location by helicopter at 11.00am.

Police inquiries into the fatality are continuing.

ENDS

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