KEY POINTS:
A man died while he was surfing at Colac Bay, west of Riverton, on Saturday.
Myles Ashley Peirce, 26, of Riverton, was pronounced dead at the scene about 2pm, the Otago Daily Times reported.
Senior Sergeant Richard McPhail, of Invercargill, said Mr Peirce's death did not appear to have happened as a result of a surfing incident. At the time, the weather had been warm and the sea was calm.
He told the newspaper Mr Peirce had appeared to be lying unconscious on his surfboard when his brother swam out to him, and the pair were floating in the sea for about 20 minutes before they were picked up by a passing boat, which had been fishing in the area.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
- NZPA
