Mark Armstrong, “top bloke taken too soon”. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
MARY ARGUE
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Tributes to real estate agent Mark Armstrong are pouring in as people express shock and sadness at his sudden death after an incident at a Masterton school.
Police confirmed this week that the 58-year-old man pulled unconscious from St Matthew’s Collegiate pool had subsequently died in Wellington Hospital.
A member of the Wairarapa real estate community said they were saddened by the news about Armstrong.
“It just comes as a shock. We are so sorry for the friends, family, and colleagues.”
Originally from the United Kingdom, Armstrong lived and worked in Wairarapa for 18 years and was an agent with Harcourts Hamill Realty.
His profile said he had been in Masterton for the past six years with his sons “enjoying what the region has to offer”.
Before working in real estate, he had been in the military and worked in IT.
Friends expressed their disbelief and sadness at the sudden loss and said thoughts were with Armstrong’s family.
“He was a top bloke taken way too soon.”
“An emperor amongst men. We are all gutted.”
On Monday, emergency services were called to the school on Pownall St at about 3.45am.
Police said an investigation into the incident would continue on behalf of the coroner, but initial inquiries suggested Armstrong had suffered an injury and “spent an amount of time underwater”.
They expressed their condolences to the family and loved ones.
