21 Sep 2022

Man charged over death of woman after vehicle swept away in floods

10:57 am on 21 September 2022
Silver Stream in North Taieri.

Silver Stream in North Taieri Photo: RNZ / Tess Brunton

A man has been charged with recklessly caused death after the vehicle he was in was swept away in a flooded Otago river.

Sarah Jane Shirley, who was 29, died when the vehicle she was in plunged into the Silver Stream in July during the North Taieri flood.

Two other occupants were able to get out of the vehicle.

A 34-year-old man appeared in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday and will reappear on 7 October after being remanded on bail.