A Canadian woman suspected to have broken her leg in a jet boating accident near Queenstown remains in Dunedin Hospital, as an investigation into what caused the crash continues.
Ten people were on board the Skippers Canyon jet boat when it crashed into rocks while riding a remote part of the Shotover River just after 10am yesterday.
The group were roughly halfway through the trip when the incident occurred and a rescue helicopter had to be called in to fly nine patients to hospitals.
Several passengers were part of a group of tourists from Thailand. Two others were Canadians.
Skippers Canyon Jet marketing manager Gavin Larsen said this morning the woman and one other passenger remained in hospital, and the others were discharged yesterday.
“Six passengers have now been treated for minor injuries and discharged, while another two are being held for observation.
“One passenger has been transported to Dunedin Hospital with a broken limb. The boat driver suffered minor injuries but did not need medical treatment,” a statement from Skippers Canyon Jet said.
The driver was doing “really well”, Larsen said.
“He was able to help out directly after the crash and then with Maritime NZ inquiries yesterday.
“He was then taken to hospital yesterday evening just for precautionary measures, but by all accounts he is doing really well.”
Larsen said the adventure company’s operations remained suspended until further notice while a Transport Accident Investigation Commission and Maritime NZ investigation takes place.
Investigators are yet to determine what caused the crash.
“The company followed its operational safety procedures as a result of the incident and is working alongside the Maritime Safety Authority to determine its cause.
"A team from the TAIC will arrive in Queenstown tomorrow,” the statement said.
Larsen said the company would conduct its own internal investigation and would fully co-operate with the relevant authorities.
“We deeply regret the distress caused to all passengers involved and are providing them with our full support,” he said.
Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust’s chief pilot Graham Gale said his team were called in to transport patients from the spot, which was tricky to access.
“There is no road - there is no road access to where we picked them up from,” he said.
The team made two trips transporting patients to Lakes District Hospital. The Canadian woman with the injured leg was transferred to Dunedin Hospital soon after.
Gale had not assisted in the rescue but said the patients were agitated.
“You’re in an incident like that ... everyone is always distressed to a certain level when they’re involved. We’re quite focused on doing what we do - we go in there and we do the business, get them out, and get them away to hospital.”
