Tourist dies in Shotover River rafting incident

A visitor has died in a rafting accident on the Shotover River north of Queenstown.

Emergency services were called to Skippers Canyon at the head of the Shotover River yesterday afternoon where a boat flipped, local newspaper Mountain Scene reported.

It is understood the incident involved a group of Australian tourists and their guide who whose raft tipped over on a Challenge Rafting excursion.

Challenge Rafting spokeswoman Tsehai Tiffin told Fairfax that staff initiated routine rescue procedures to get the rafters to the bank after the incident.

CPR was performed on one of the rafters and a defibrillator was used but they died before a rescue helicopter arrived at the scene.

Tiffin advised "Challenge Rafting wish to offer their deepest sympathy to the victim's family and friends.”

A New Zealand Police spokesman confirmed St John paramedics attended the scene and a second person had received medical treatment.

Maritime New Zealand, Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand and Transport Accident Investigation Commission have all been advised.

Th e incident is the second fatility this year on the Shotover River, a famous destination for thrill-seeking tourists wanting to try bungee jumping and jet boats.

Maritime New Zealand, Rescue Coordination Centre of New Zealand and Transport Accident Investigation Commission have all been advised of the incident. 

Image: Challenge Rafting, courtesy of Tourism New Zealand.

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