Snooker legend dead aged 61 following tragic accident at his home

New Zealand snooker legend Dene O'Kane has died aged 61 following a tragic accident at his home on Waiheke Island. 

O'Kane made snooker hugely popular among New Zealanders in 1987 after his incredible exploits at the World Snooker Championships, in which he made the quarter final that year as well as in 1992.

The household name reportedly fell at his home earlier this week and died in hospital yesterday, according to the New Zealand Herald. 

O'Kane reached a career-best ranking of world No. 18 in 1991/92, remaining in the top 32 until 1996. He retired from the sport with earnings of £415,000 in 2007.

The 61-year-old later became a real estate agent but he continued playing snooker as a senior and featured in exhibition tournaments all over the world.

O'Kane also served as the chairman of Masse, a premier cue club, and was held in such high esteem among his peers that he played exhibition events alongside the likes of Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor.  

'I remember talking to Dennis Taylor and he was going on about how much he admired Dene,' his secretary, Bernie Endres, told the Herald following O'Kane's death. 

'He talked of how difficult it was for those guys in the UK to break through to the pro circuit let alone for someone from a country at the bottom of the planet. 

'Someone who had left home at his age, with no money to survive and to make it on the pro-circuit.' 

Reflecting on his career two years ago, O'Kane said: 'It could always have been better, that's what I say. 

'But when you're up there at the top, you've just got to get what you grab, what you can and I had some very, very good years on the pro tour.' 

O'Kane arrived in the UK at the age of 17 with a promising reputation as an amateur and New Zealand champion. 

'That was early 1981 in the middle of February, which is a stupid time to go, you know, because it's the heart of winter... but I turned up Heathrow. I had two suitcases of snooker cues and 700 quid in my pocket.' 

During his career, O'Kane won 10 New Zealand titles, two Australian opens, two Oceania championships as well as three World Masters Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2008. 

Endres said: 'He was always great company, a real character.'