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Investigations will continue today into the cause of a boat accident near Mt Aspiring National Park yesterday in which a British doctor was killed.
Paul Joseph Woods, 29, was a passenger in a private jet boat on the Matukituki River when it flipped.
Wanaka police said it appeared Mr Woods and four other occupants had been thrown from the boat. He was crushed as the boat rolled on top of him, coming to rest upside down on a gravel bank.
Two others were flown to Dunedin hospital, one with serious injuries to their leg after being pinned beneath the boat and the other, a female, with a damaged hand.
The boat was one of three travelling down the river but police said the others had not been involved in the crash.
Constable Mike Johnston from Wanaka police said it was still not clear how the accident happened.
"The driver of the jetboat is a very experienced driver and is obviously very upset that it happened," he told Radio New Zealand.
"It is going to be a very difficult period for him let alone next of kin and everyone involved in the situation."
A jetboat expert examined the scene yesterday and a Maritime Safety inspector will join the investigation today.
Mr Woods had been working at Dunedin Hospital for the past six months having emigrated from England. Police last night informed his family of the tragedy.
Police have urged people to take care while boating, especially during the holiday period when lakes and rivers were more crowded than usual.
- NZPA
