Rarotonga police have confirmed that alcohol played a part in the death of a kiwi defence force sailor who died in an accident in Rarotonga on Friday.
Able Seaman Combat Specialist William Paratini Delamere, 22, was involved in a motor scooter accident at 12:45am Friday morning (local time) while on shore leave.
Navy personnel were unable to revive him despite first aid attempts, and he was pronounced dead at Rarotonga Hospital at 1:30am.
Mr Delamere was serving on the HMNZS Otago which is currently in the Pacific conducting maritime patrols. Vessel Commander David McEwan says his death is a tragic loss for the navy.
“The tragic death of Able Seaman Combat Specialist William Delamere, or Delz as he was known to his friend and shipmates, has been keenly felt by the Officers and Ship's Company of HMNZS OTAGO currently deployed to the South Pacific,” he says.
Mr McEwan says that Mr Delamere showed great potential in the navy, and was held in regard by his friends and shipmates.
“He was a young man with an enormous future and was widely respected as a person who could be relied upon to get on with the job without complaint,” he says.
“Intelligent and of cheeky nature and quick wit, William embodied the very spirit of a young sailor enjoying his life at sea performing a role that offered him comradeship, exciting challenges and many rewarding moments.
“The thoughts and prayers of the Commanding Officer, Officers and Ship's Company are very much with his partner and family in NZ at this time of great sadness.”
The navy hope to return Mr Delamere’s body to New Zealand over the next week, and are supporting his partner and family through this process.
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