Storms blamed for death of farmer

By ELIZABETH BINNING


The summer's devastating North Island floods appear to have claimed their first life.

Police have found the body of Waikato man Maurice John Keogh, who went missing after going to check equipment at a farm in Chapman Rd, near Te Kauwhata, on Thursday.

The 46-year-old had been worried that some of the stopbanks and equipment he had been working on might have been damaged by storms.

His brother-in-law Charlie Rhodes said when Mr Keogh failed to return home his partner, Diane Watson, called police, who found his abandoned 4WD on Friday morning.

They found Mr Keogh's body in a water hole near the farm about 6pm on Saturday.

"The river was high and from what we can ascertain he was walking across a deep ford and must have slipped into a deep hole," said Mr Rhodes.

"We really don't know how it happened but can only assume that he tripped on something or the current just caught him and took him off his feet.

"Whether the peat soil acted as a quicksand and held him down, we don't really know."

Senior Sergeant Ray Malcomson of Huntly police said the death was being treated as an accident. It was too early to say exactly how Mr Keogh, a strong swimmer, died but it is believed he drowned in the floodwaters.

Mr Keogh, who had a 6-year-old son, had an expert knowledge of firearms and was a top duck shooter, well known in hunting circles.

Yesterday there were tributes for a man who "lived for his passion".

Hamilton Fish and Game environmental officer Murray Davies said the death was a huge loss for the hunting community.