PICTURED: Much-loved firefighter, 59, who died while snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef
- Bill Metherell, 59, was in the water off Lady Elliot Island when he got into trouble
- The popular firefighter was on holiday with his wife in June this year
- Chief fire officer Andrew Bary called him 'respected, valued and sorely missed'
A popular firefighter tragically died while he was snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef.
Bill Metherell, 59, from New Zealand was in the water off Lady Elliot Island early in June when he got into trouble.
His wife spent a week in Bundaberg Hospital after she tried to save her husband and has now returned to Queenstown.
Bill Metherell, 59, from New Zealand was in the water off Lady Elliot Island early in June when he got into trouble
In addition to being a firefighter Bill also drove tour buses to the ski fields.
'He loved being in the outdoors, walking and skiing and enjoying the scenery,' his wife told the NZ Herald.
Born in England, Bill joined the Millwall Fire Brigade in London in the early 80s.
In 1991 he arrived in Auckland for a supposed three week holiday and chose to stay in the country - joining the Queenstown volunteer brigade in 1992.
Chief fire officer Andrew Bary called him 'respected, valued and sorely missed.'
He received his gold star for 25 years service in the fire brigade two years ago.
Bill and his wife had plans to go to the Galapagos Islands next year to celebrate his 60th birthday.
His wife spent a week in Bundaberg Hospital after she tried to save her husband and has now returned to Queenstown
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