19 Mar 2015

Driver at fault in Shotover Jet accident - Maritime NZ

1:41 pm on 19 March 2015

A Maritime New Zealand investigation has found driver error was to blame for a jet boat accident that injured six people earlier this year.

A file photo of a jet boat on the Shotover River near Queenstown.

A file photo of a jet boat on the Shotover River near Queenstown. Photo: Destination Queenstown

A 12-year-old girl visiting Queenstown with her family was among two passengers hospitalised when a Shotover Jetboat hit a rock while heading downstream.

Four other people suffered bruising and whiplash injuries.

A Maritime New Zealand spokesman said the driver took a turn at the wrong angle, and ultimately lost control of the jet boat, which hit a rock wall at about 22 kilometres an hour.

The spokesman said the Shotover Jet had accepted a recommendation from Maritime New Zealand to put greater emphasis on defensive and evasive driving skills during its training programme.

The Shotover Jet is owned by Ngai Tahu Tourism.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs