A 19-year-old woman injured when a jetboat and jetski collided on the Kawarau River, near Queenstown, remains in a serious condition.
The Monday evening collision claimed the lives of Anton Woitasek, 34, and Lawrence Singleton, 51, who were both in the boat. Their bodies were found about 10am yesterday.
A third man in the boat received minor injuries, while jetskiers Emma Eckhold, 19, and Mark Clay, 21, were flown to Dunedin Hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman told NZPA Ms Eckhold was in a serious condition in the intensive care unit, while Mr Clay was progressing favourably in a general ward.
Kawarau Jet director Shaun Kelly told the Southland Times he made a submission to the Queenstown Lakes District Council last month for tighter restrictions on recreational users' access to the waterway.
"Everyone using that stretch of water should have a permit (specifying) they know about the river rules," he said.
"There are a lot of risk areas on that waterway."
Queenstown harbourmaster Marty Black said following basic safety measures was vital to avoid accidents.
"At the end of the day, if you follow the river rules, rivers like this are safe. It's as simple as that," he told NZPA.
The rules were posted on the main ramp into the Kawarau, he said.
"It appears to be that one (craft) was on the wrong side of the river. So for a start know the river rules. And the other issue is lifejackets.
"Wear lifejackets, end of story, no exception. Wear the bloody things - they save lives. It's real simple stuff."
Neither Mr Woitasek nor Mr Singleton was wearing a lifejacket, police said.
