Sudden death at remote property
Police are investigating the sudden death of a 19-year-old man at a remote Northland home.
His body was removed from the property about 1pm yesterday and a post-mortem examination was scheduled for today at Auckland Hospital.
St John operations' team manager in Northland, Ben Lockie, said the man was dead when paramedics arrived.
There were conflicting reports on what had happened to the deceased when St John was first called.
Mr Lockie said a cardiac arrest was reported when the first dispatch was made but as the ambulance got closer to the location, it was reported the man had had a fall.
Yesterday, police said the circumstances surrounding the man's death were unclear.
Whangarei police Detective Senior Sergeant Dene Begbie said police were advised by St John about 3pm on Monday that a man had died at a Punaruku home, about 33km north of Hikurangi.
The Northland Electricity rescue helicopter was called to the house but the man died before it reached the scene.
Mr Begbie did not know how many people were at the property when the man was discovered.
But the Northern Advocate understands he was there with others and they may have been drinking alcohol.
"It's too early to say exactly what happened and we are still conducting enquiries," Mr Begbie said.
"The investigation is still in the initial stages and it's not clear what has happened."
Once police were satisfied the death was not suspicious they would be handing the file over to the coroner.
A guard remained at the site overnight until police returned to the scene yesterday.
Family and friends gathered at the rural property bordering the Whangaruru School grounds yesterday as police worked in a small white portable unit at the rear of the main house.
When the hearse arrived, those who had gathered at the gate plus a police Iwi Liaison Officer went on to the property and helped place the body into the vehicle as a karakia was said.
