23 Jan 2023

Australian who drowned in Lake Wakatipu named

2:28 pm on 23 January 2023
Lake Wakatipu Glenorchy Scenic Drive New Zealand

Lake Wakatipu Photo: 123rf

Police have released the name of a man whose body was recovered from Lake Wakatipu near the Glenorchy Waterfront Reserve yesterday.

He was Jonathan Jordan Young, 35, who was visiting the country from New South Wales.

Young disappeared on Thursday after going into the water to help a child, police said.

A helicopter, jet boats, LandSAR and members of the National Dive Squad were among those who joined in the search.

His death will be referred to the coroner.

The drowning was the second at Lake Wakatipu in a week. Linkin Kisling, 48, from Wanaka, drowned after going into the lake to help his son who was swimming at the mouth of the Rees River at Glenorchy on 14 January.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council has installed warning signs at the location and shared safety information on social media.

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