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Police have named the possum hunter who died in Central Otago yesterday after being crushed by a boulder as Deane Shute, 49, from Owaka, south of Balclutha.
Oamaru police Sergeant Wayne Brew said Mr Shute was well known in the Otago area and was a long time member of the Owaka Search and Rescue squad. "He will be sadly missed".
Mr Brew said it appeared that while working alone on an Omarama farm, a large boulder had come loose on a steep slope, trapping Mr Shute beneath it.
He suffered fatal injuries and was located by his work colleagues about 3.15pm.
Rescuers spent hours freeing him from beneath the boulder.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
- NZPA
