Police name dead fisherman found at Lake Coleridge

Lake Coleridge in Canterbury, New Zealand, where the body of John William Morgan was found last night. Photo / 123RF

The fisherman who died at Lake Coleridge last night can now be named as 60-year-old John William Morgan of Christchurch.

Emergency services were called to Lake Coleridge, near Mt Hutt, on Wednesday evening around 5pm to reports a man had been swept under water while fishing.

Initial reports suggested the man had been attempting to come to the aid of another fisherman.

Four members of the Police National Dive Squad searched the lake and recovered the body last night.

Police extend their sympathies to Morgan's family at this difficult time.

Police are making inquiries into Morgan's death on behalf of the Coroner.

Morgan's family have asked for privacy at this tragic time.

The body of a fisherman who was swept underwater at Lake Coleridge was found on August 31.

Police Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Phil Simmonds told Stuff that a fisherman got into trouble when he lost his footing and slipped under the water.

"He called out for help."

Morgan, who was fishing nearby from a shallow underwater shelf, went to help, Simmonds said to Stuff.

As he approached, the fisherman got himself into a position where he no longer needed help.

"He's shouted out that he was okay and not to bother, but [Morgan] carried on to help him and got into difficulty himself and succumbed to the cold."

Simmonds told Stuff that Morgan's family were "devastated".

"They obviously want him back so they can carry on with their grieving process.

"It's one of those tragedies ... speaking to the family that's just the way he was - anyone needed help, he wouldn't hesitate."

Simmonds said the other fisherman would also be grieving.

"He will be feeling quite guilty, I suppose, feeling like he's created the situation, but it's just one of those things, an unfortunate accident really."

Richard Cosgrove, South Island communications advisor for Fish & Game, said he would like to pass on its condolences to the family.

"It's not a good thing and we would much prefer anglers to come home every day.

"It's pretty sad for any family to have to go through this, so we wish them the best."

He said Lake Coleridge is one of the most popular North Canterbury regions for fishing.

"It can be quite popular for trolling from boats and there is quite a few smaller lakes around there which are popular for fly fishing and that sort of thing."

He said Fish & Game would like to remind anglers to be safety conscious and have a plan for when things go wrong.

"[Fishermen] are out there in the outdoors and in the back country and so if the worst case scenario does happen they need to have a plan on how to get rescued, whether that is with locator beacons or check in times and things like that.

"It's also about being aware. At this time of year the weather conditions can change quite rapidly and you have all of the environmental conditions too.

"I encourage anglers to take as many safety precautions as they can and to wear lifejackets when they are wading in water."