Man dies after fight at Wanganui party

Police are investigating the death of a man after a fight at a party at a Wanganui home last night.

The incident was not gang related, said Senior Sergeant Duncan MacLeod, acting area commander for Wanganui.

He said police were called to a party in Glasgow St soon after midnight after they received several reports of people fighting.

They found a man lying unconscious on the ground outside the home surrounded by people trying to give first aid including CPR.

An ambulance was called but despite attempts to revive the man he was declared dead at the scene.

Mr MacLeod said the man, believed to be in his late 20s or early 30s, had been invited to the party. The man has yet to be formally identified.

He said police were trying to piece together the activities that lead to the fight and several people were taken to Wanganui police station for interviews.

"This is a tragedy for the family of the deceased," said Mr MacLeod.

He said the death had come after gang-related violence in Wanganui during the week.

"This is an isolated act which shouldn't be taken out of context.

"Violence in New Zealand is a national issue and Wanganui has reduced recorded violence over recent years."

- NZPA