Alexandra Police yesterday arrested a man in relation to a duck shooting incident on Sunday 2 May, in which two women were injured.

The 26-year-old Central Otago man has been charged with careless use of a firearm causing bodily injury.

He is scheduled to appear in Alexandra District Court on  Wednesday 12 May. 

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Police would like to speak to a group of men involved in a duck shooting incident on Sunday morning. 

At around 11am on Sunday 2 May, two women walking along a track by the Clutha River in Alexandra sustained minor shotgun pellet injuries. 

One was injured in the lower leg and the other in the shoulder. 

“The shots were fired by a group of men duck shooting from a boat in the river,” Queenstown Police Detective Sergeant Paul Slater said in the days after the incident. 

“The men responsible spoke to the injured women when they realised what had happened and offered assistance, however they left the scene in their boat and have not yet been identified.” 

Police were notified of the matter after the women arrived at the Alexandra Medical Centre, where their injuries were treated. 

Anyone else who may have seen the incident is asked to get in contact with Police as soon as possible by calling 105 quoting P046364839.

“This incident is an important reminder for people to stay vigilant about safety when hunting this game bird season.

“Anybody handling a firearm should always treat it as loaded; that means always pointing the firearm in a safe direction and checking your firing zone.

“When your firearm is not in use, Police would encourage people to take chamber flags with them and insert them in the breach.”