Accident/Incident Database

20050311^?, 11 March 2005 16:00^?, Fatal accident^? / Swim^?
Victim^?: FIN, 22, Male
Location^?: Southland/Waiau/^?

Class^?: II
Flow^?: Unknown, "High"
Boat Type^?: Unknown/Open-cockpit kayak
Trip Type^?: Private

Summary^?:

DRAFT: A male and female paddled from Lake Te Anau into the upper reach of the Waiau River. The male capsized and lodged against a tree. The kayaks were of 'open-cockpit' design without spraydecks. The alarm was raised to Police and a search involving a helicopter and several jetboats commenced. The kayaker's body was found in trees between Queens Reach and Rainbow Reach.

Discussion^?:

No comment at this time

Sources^?:
Died trying to help, 14 March 2005, p3. ODT (Copy & paste link)
Tourist dies kayaking, 14 March 2005, pA4, Press
Tourist dies on river, 11 March 2005, NZ Herald

Reported by^?: Jonathan Hunt
Created: 2005-03-14, changed: 2005-03-15.