Father discharged without conviction for daughter's accidental death

  • 11/08/2017

The man behind the wheel of a 4WD that was swept away during an attempt to cross a West Coast river has been discharged without conviction in the Christchurch District Court on Friday.

Michael Saunders was the driver of the truck that tried to cross the Poerua River near Harihari in June last year, when it got stuck.

Saunders was attempting to cross the river after picking up Barry Petrie who was setting possum traps on the other side.

The pair was in the 4WD with two-year-old Emily Saunders, Sandra Saunders, Emily's mother and another man, when the vehicle became submerged.

All five got out of the car, but Emily and Mr Petrie were swept away. Mr Petrie tried to save baby Emily.

His body was found the following day but Emily's body was never found.

In May this year, Saunders was charged by police with two counts of dangerous driving causing death.

The Saunders' family released a statement after the accident saying the efforts of Mr Petrie to try to save Emily would never be forgotten.

"Our thoughts are with Barry's family as well at this time.

"Our daughter Emily was a happy, cheeky little girl who loved the outdoors. She will be missed by her mum and dad and her older sisters Tiffany and Natalie and all who knew her."

Newshub.