A Coroner has commended the actions of a man who saved three children
A Coroner has commended the actions of a man who saved three children, trapped in a vehicle in a Buller river
18 September 2018
Their father, Tamati Rae drowned after the car he was driving crashed through a wooden rail on the Rough River Bridge in September last year.
Passing motorist Andrew Field noticed the debris and drove down the bank to find the vehicle upside down in the river.
He smashed a window to pull the children out - but was unable to open the door to save Tamati Rae.
Coroner David Robinson commended Andrew Field for his bravery and decisiveness - saying without his efforts, this tragedy may have been much greater.
The inquest found, although cannabis was in Rae's blood at the time, he may have survived the crash had metal rails been installed along the bridge.
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