Clark says canyoning deaths 'worst nightmare'

Prime Minister Helen Clark says the death of six students and a teacher in a flash flood near Mount Tongariro is "every family and school's worst nightmare".

However, she does not believe the tragedy should stop young people undertaking supervised adventure activities.

A helicopter this morning retrieved the last two bodies from the banks of Mangatepopo River, after a school canyoning trip took a fatal turn.

Six students and a teacher from the co-educational Elim Christian College, in east Auckland, died yesterday after heavy rain swiftly turned the central North Island river into a torrent.

The canyoning was organised by the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre.

Helen Clark today told reporters she was shocked by the deaths.

"This is every family and schools worst nightmare to have this happen when young people are out doing a healthy and normally very enjoyable activity and it turns into a terrible tragedy and I think the thoughts of all Kiwis will be with the families and the school communities and the outdoor pursuit centre today."

Helen Clark said it was too early to start asking questions about whether the outdoor pursuit centre had acted appropriately in taking the children out in the weather conditions that prevailed.

That would be dealt with by an inquest. She was not sure whether the deaths would trigger any other statutory inquiries.

However, she did not believe a fatal event like this should stop young people undertaking adventure activities.

She said the Outdoor Pursuits Centre, which she had visited, had done "a power of good for young people" over the years.

Sir Edmund had been proud to have his name associated with it and if he was alive would be feeling the same as most other New Zealanders, she said.

"He would feel tremendous sorrow that an activity started in good faith led to a tragedy like this for families," she said.

"I believe the outdoor pursuits type activities are very important for young people.

"What they will want to do at the appropriate time is go back over what happened and everyone will want to know whether lessons can be learned from it."

Helen Clark said she had talked to the principal of the school last night to express her "deep concern and sympathy" over the deaths and Education Minister Chris Carter was going to the school this morning.

Government agencies would provide whatever assistance and support they could to the families and school community.

The Education Ministry had already been in contact and Victim Support and counselling would probably be needed.

"But we will need to work through with the school community what there needs are. The principal and staff are carrying a very heavy burden at the moment."

She said children at the school "should stay strong and support their fellow students and families".

National Party leader John Key also this morning expressed his condolences to all those affected by the deaths.

MPs are likely to mark the deaths in Parliament this afternoon through a special motion.

- NZPA