THE inquest into the death of Emily Jordan, of Trimpley, who died in a river boarding accident in New Zealand in 2008 has concluded with a verdict of misadventure.

A nine-person jury returned the verdict today at Smethwick Council House. The jury's foreman said: "On April, 29, 2008, on the Kawarau River, Emily Jordan was participating in a river boarding excursion, when she became entrapped beneath the water, against a rock, which resulted in her drowning.

"The following factors, we feel, contributed to Emily's death. Firstly information and instruction were not given to clients in a way that clearly represented the true risks of danger.

"Secondly, the training received by the guides was inadequate for emergency rescue and entrapment and not specific to this particular activity of river boarding. It was not regulated by an external body.

"Thirdly, lack of essential lifesaving equipment to hand - such as a whistle, rope and knife - was a major factor in delaying the speed of rescue. Also the one size fits all life jacket was clearly unsuitable for river boarding in respect of buoyancy and lack of safety features, such as crotch strap, D-ring and whistle attachment.

"Furthermore, a rescue craft was not available. We believe a combination of all these factors and events contributed to the death of Emily Jordan."

Speaking outside the inquest Miss Jordan's father Chris Jordan said: "We believe that this inquest should have taken place in New Zealand. They refused to have an inquest, which I remain unimpressed with.

“I do not believe it sends out the right message to the companies involved in the adventure tourism sector. We are pleased that the UK coronial system has taken our daughter's death seriously."

He added: "Emily was a bright, intelligent girl. She enjoyed life and having fun but would not have taken unnecessary risks.

“Unfortunately, her and Jonny went on a Mad Dog trip - she did not know that the guides were untrained in rescue and that no rescue equipment was carried. They did not know what to do when Emily got trapped."

He went on: "We do not want other families to go through what we have and, indeed, others that we know in the UK. So to these young people we want to say please be careful and come home safe."

Coroner Robin Balmain said he would not be making recommendations to authorities regarding Miss Jordan's death. He said: "It does not seem to me to be right to interfere in the affairs of another sovereign country. New Zealand has its own laws, its own social and sporting culture and it seems to me that it is simply not right to interfere with that."

He added: "However, the second reason is perhaps more important and that is that I have heard some detailed evidence of the enquiry that has been mounted in New Zealand into this industry.

“The catalyst for the enquiry was Emily's death and the determined efforts made by her father, who has been tireless throughout this case to see that lessons can be learned where possible and appropriate action taken to lessen the risks to those who participate in these sports."