South Otago crash: Tributes for Clutha Valley firefighter Logan Sinclair
A South Otago volunteer firefighter who was killed in an early morning crash is being remembered as a “great man” and caring father.
Logan Sinclair, 34, died after a crash on Clutha Valley Rd, Greenfield, about 1.55am on Saturday.
Sinclair was the sole occupant of the vehicle, which crashed between Craig Rd and Allangrange Rd.
It comes a decade after tragedy struck with the sudden death of his younger brother, who died while kneeboarding on the Clutha River in 2013.
Clutha Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Richard Hunter said he had known Sinclair since he was young.
He said Sinclair was a devoted dad to his 5-year-old son and someone who could connect with people from all walks of life.
“He was very enthusiastic about everything he did; he had a real great manner,” Hunter said.
“His son just dotes on him. They did literally everything together.
“I just can’t emphasise enough what a caring soul he was, he genuinely cared about people and his family, and it’s just going to be a tragic loss.”
Hunter said members of the Clutha Valley Volunteer Fire Brigade were first at the scene early Saturday.
He said the loss had “been another kick” after losing another member of the brigade, Blair Halder, in a farming accident in 2025.
“Blair was a very valued member of the team, just like Logan,” he said.
Tragedy hits twice for family after brother’s sudden death
Sinclair’s death comes 13 years after his brother, Blake, died while kneeboarding on the Clutha River, an incident that shook the tight-knit South Otago community.
Blake Sinclair was 18 when he disappeared while kneeboarding behind a boat near the confluence of the Waitahuna River, about 20km from Balclutha.
He fell from the kneeboard into the river and immediate efforts by those on the boat were unable to find him.
More than 100 volunteers joined the search effort alongside dozens of boats, the police national dive squad and a helicopter.
A week later, police confirmed a body had been found in willows on an island above the Balclutha bridge, about 14km from where he was last seen.
“That was 13 years ago; the whole community was in shock then at such a wasted talent,” Hunter said.
“We’re going to go through the same thing again.”
At the time, parents Raewyn and Mark Sinclair described Blake as a man who loved the outdoors and treasured time spent with family and friends.
“Our son Blake loved the outdoors and all aspects of spending time in the outdoors with family and friends – including hunting, fishing, diving, boating and trail-bike riding.
“Blake grew up enjoying jet-boating on weekends, family holidays out and around South Otago and in the Southern Lakes region, and family boating holidays on the West Coast.”
They said he also loved spending time on Stewart Island fishing, diving and hunting.
“Blake and his brother, Logan, loved to spend their time sharing their interests in the outdoors, mixing with friends, or being with family at home.”
The family described Blake as a “great boy with a very friendly manner and a dry sense of humour”.