Australian tourist dead after rafting accident near Queenstown

Saturday, 19 May 2018

Shotover River from Tucker Beach Rd, Queenstown.

An Australian tourist died in a rafting accident near Queenstown on Saturday after his raft flipped and he lost his grip on the rescue rope.

Six Australians and their guide were rafting with company Challenge Rafting on the Shotover River when the raft overturned near the Toilet Rapids.

Staff started routine rescue procedures to get all the rafters to the bank, said Queenstown Rafting and Challenge Rafting spokeswoman Tsehai Tiffin.

The man was being brought back from the far side of the river when he lost his grip on the rescue rope, Tiffin said.

The man was swept through the next rapid, and was helped by a safety kayaker through another rapid and then to shore.

An Australian man died in a rafting incident on the Shotover River, near Queenstown, on Saturday afternoon.

When he became unresponsive, CPR was provided and a defibrillator was used, Tiffin said.

The man received further treatment from paramedics, who arrived by helicopter just after 5pm on Saturday, but was unable to be resuscitated.

Police were called to the scene at 4.08pm.

Two other rafts on the same trip did not overturn.

'Challenge Rafting wish to offer their deepest sympathy to the victim's family and friends,' Tiffin said.

Challenge Rafting is a subsidiary of Totally Tourism and works closely with Queenstown Rafting.

Queenstown Rafting General Manager Luke Taylor said he and his staff were devastated.

'Our hearts go out to our guests and the families of those involved in this. Both our companies wish to offer the group our sincere condolences and ongoing support,' Taylor said.

Rafts overturning is not unusual for grade 4 – 5 rivers, Tiffin said. Customers are issued with equipment to help keep them warm and safe, including a wetsuit, neoprene jacket, booties, spray jacket, life jacket and helmet.

Another member of the same group was injured and was flown to Lakes District Hospital for treatment. The rest of the group were helicoptered out. They all flew back to Australia this morning.

Saturday was fine and sunny and river conditions were considered medium to low flow at 16 cubic metres per second, which is well within standard operating parameters, the statement said.

The accident is two months after the death of a guide, Keith Haare, on the same stretch of river, following a medical event.

Police said on Sunday that an autopsy would be carried out on the man in Invercargill on Monday.

'Police continue to make inquiries on behalf of the coroner and with the assistance of Maritime NZ, which is conducting its own investigation into what happened,' they said.

The Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the Transport Accident Investigation Commission had also been advised of the incident.

Police have not yet released the man's name.

Queenstown Rafting and Challenge Rafting have confirmed they have voluntarily suspended rafting operations until further notice.

Both companies are helping Maritime New Zealand with its investigation.