Locals are mourning the death of a much respected young Wānaka man, Sean Dickey, in Christchurch on Tuesday (April 19).

Sean (22) was riding his motorcycle with another off-duty ambulance officer when they were involved in a collision with a car in Halswell.

His parents Steve and Mei Lian Dickey, live in Wānaka and Sean attended Mount Aspiring College (MAC). 

Sean was active in volunteer work, in particular with St John; he was a sailing instructor; and part of the MAC kapa haka group

He became a Wānaka St John cadet at six years old and had become a full-time emergency medical technician at 21.

Canterbury St John Ambulance district operations manager Curt Ward told the Wānaka App the devastating loss had been widely felt across the St John whānau.

“We have reached out to offer our condolences and support to all those affected, including the whānau of the deceased,” he said.

“We are also providing support to the other staff member involved in the crash, who remains in a serious but not life-threatening condition in hospital.”

Curt said while attending these types of accidents is not uncommon for the ambulance team, “they are never easy, and in this incidence, further compounded by involving our own people”.

Wānaka Yacht Club commodore Graham Berry said the club’s flag was at half mast.

“Sean was an inspiring young man, [with an] awesome commitment to sailing and the club for years,” he wrote in a tribute to Sean on the club’s Facebook page.

Graham said Sean was a great role model for younger sailors and even coaches learned from him.

The club is planning a sail around at the time of Sean’s funeral (which will be in a week or so). 

The club also has a permanent Sean Dickey Trophy for Teams Racing which will be presented at the club’s prizegiving next month.

PHOTO: Wānaka App