24 Sep 2014

Company can't pay fine over death

7:37 pm on 24 September 2014

Defunct company Riverland Adventures has been fined $120,000 over the death of Australian tourist near Auckland, but cannot pay it.

Chelsey Callaghan was part of a 10-person quad bike safari run by Riverland Adventures Ltd on 11 October 2012.

She was discovered lying on Klondyke Road in Tuakau by another member of the tour.

Ms Callaghan had rounded a corner on the gravel road. Her quad bike was lying on its side and her helmet was found 2m away.

She suffered severe head injuries and died 10 days later in hospital.

Riverland Adventures is in liquidation. At its sentencing this morning at the Manukau District Court, the judge accepted that it would not be able to pay the fine.

Ms Callaghan had no immediate family, so no reparation order was made.

WorkSafe New Zealand said the size of the fine sends a clear message about the duty of tourist adventure companies to keep their customers safe.

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