A private farewell took place today at Trident High School in Whakatāne to farewell a much loved student, James Johnston who died over the weekend in a duck shooting incident.
A community coming together after a tragic accident.
Principal of Trident High School, Philip Gurney says, “This week I have learnt how incredibly important it is to work with in your community, to live in your community and for a community to stand together.”
Year 11 student James Johnston died over the weekend after accidentally shooting himself while duck shooting. Over 1,000 people attended the farewell today.
Gurney says, “Jamie was an experienced hunter. His family were experienced hunters. New Zealand is a culture that uses guns in their everyday life if you're a farmer, that's what you live with, this was a tragic accident.”
His school was closed in a special tribute to the family and friends of James Johnston.
“Today was an example of how a community can come together and that's what I love to see,” Gurney says.
Since the start of duck season two people, including James Johnston, have died.