Employer of a Brazilian man who died in ‘tragic accident’ says he was a well-loved team member – Stuff.co.nz

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Police are investigating the death of a Brazilian man in Southland on Friday.

Police are still trying to piece together how aBrazilian man living in Southland died.

Honorary Consul for BrazilAna CristinaTurnbull confirmed that the man was JoelPalmeira.

Altitude Resurfacinggeneral manager Shaun McGowan saidthe incident that claimed the life of Palmeiraon Friday was a tragic accident.

Palmeira, who was a father of two, went missing on theWaiau Rivernear Lake Monowai at 6.50pm.

A police Search and Rescue team found his body four hours later.

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A police spokesperson said itwasstill unclear how Palmeira died, butthe case had been referred to the Coroner.

Turnbull said the man was working in NewZealand as an electrician.

She said his employer had notified the Embassy of Brazil of his death and had offered their assistance to his family.

"Altitude Resurfacing wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the family of one of our valued team memberswho tragically lost his life in a recreational accident last week," McGowan wrote in a statement to Stuff.

He said it was a "sad and shocking time for the victim's family" and his team.

The incident happened during an after-hours social event.

"After finishing work for the day on February 21, the team took a well-earned opportunity to socialise together in the afternoon," McGowan said.

"He was a well-loved member of our team, whose contributions on both professional and personal levels were greatly appreciated by everyone at Altitude Resurfacing. We will all miss him," McGowan said.

He said the company was supporting Palmeira'sfamily "as much as we can" and had offered to contribute towards the cost of transporting his body back to Brazil.

A Facebook fundraising page had been set up by friendson Saturday to help withtransportation.

The page had raised$13,686by Wednesday morning.

Palmeirais believed to be an active member of the Southland Brazilian community.

The Southland Multicultural Society has postponed itsBrazilian Day event, which was scheduled to take place at Southern Institute of Technologyon Saturday.

McGowan also said Altitude Resurfacing had made arrangements to ensure its staff had access to support services during "this deeply sad time".

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Employer of a Brazilian man who died in 'tragic accident' says he was a well-loved team member - Stuff.co.nz