Man killed in ferry collision named

The man killed in the collision with a Cook Strait ferry last night has been named. He was 66-year-old Norman McFarlane, of Picton.

His companion, a woman who has not been named is still in Blenheim's Waiaru Hospital in a comfortable condition. She has not been named and is said to be in a severe state of shock.

Investigators are still trying to work out how the accident happened but say the evening's poor visibility may have been a factor.

The couple's 10m bridgedecker, Timeless, was smashed to pieces in the collision, although the majority of it was salvaged last night and taken by barge into Picton.

The Bluebridge ferry Santa Regina also remains in Picton and its other scheduled ferry crossings have since been cancelled.

The accident happened around 7.30 last night just out of Picton, at the tip of the South Island.

- Herald staff