Otaki murder accused named

Tuiane Bevan is accused of murdering 23-year-old Stacey Lake at Otaki beach earlier this month. File photo / NZ Herald

The man charged with the murder of his partner at Otaki Beach earlier this month has been named as Tuiane Bevan.

The 26-year-old appeared in Levin District Court today where name suppression was lifted.

He is accused of murdering 23-year-old Stacey Lake and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Ms Lake was shot at an Otaki Beach house on May 8, and died in hospital the next day.

An internal investigation by St John Ambulance has been launched after criticism of its response to the shooting.

No ambulance was sent to the aid of Miss Lake. Firefighters and police gave her first aid but became so concerned with the non-arrival of St John they called off-duty paramedics to the scene themselves.

The paramedics borrowed the firefighters' medical equipment to treat the woman until the arrival of a rescue helicopter .

A helicopter and paramedic arrived later 16 minutes later and airlifted her to Palmerston North Hospital.

St John earlier said due to demand for ambulance services on May 8 the closest resource with appropriately skilled officer for this incident was Palmerston North and all other options were explored.

It said the decision to dispatch the rescue helicopter was made within four minutes of the original emergency call.

- NZPA