Death woman's father fearful over river boarding

10:35am Friday 5th December 2008

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THE father of a young Trimpley woman killed in a river boarding accident in New Zealand fears someone else will die taking part in the “dangerous” sport if it is not regulated.

Emily Jordan became trapped between submerged rocks while river boarding down the Kawarau River with the Mad Dog River Boarding Company, in April.

Brad Alexander McLeod, the director of the company, appeared at New Zealand’s Queenstown District Court on Monday to face Health and Safety Employment Act 1992 charges against himself and his company. The case has been remanded until February.

Chris Jordan, Emily’s father, said he was disappointed that the case against Mr McLeod and the river boarding company had been delayed.

“It’s now going to put any eventual outcome into the middle of next year,” he added.

Talking about the sport, Mr Jordan said: “River boarding is a completely unregulated activity.

“I don’t believe river boarding should be taking place. I have got problems with river boarding as an activity because it is fundamentally dangerous for young people.

“They have two or three minutes’ tuition when they are going in the river on a belly board. I have a major concern about the concept of what they’re doing.

“I think it’s a step too far in terms of activities for young people . It’s fundamentally dangerous in its design and concept. I’m worried that, in the future, there will be a further death.

“Young people should be warned about the dangers of it. Kids going to New Zealand for the thrill of extreme sports should be aware of the dangers of this activity.”