Kayakers dispute rescue bill

Two kayakers plucked by helicopter from a Queenstown river in full flood are disputing the $4000 bill for the rescue they say they didn't want.

The two men, both experienced kayakers who lived in the Queenstown area, had been invoiced for two hours of the helicopter's flying time, as well as time council staff had put into searching the Shotover River, after someone saw one of their men's empty kayaks floating downstream on December 3, The Southland Times reported

The river had been in full flood, with flows measuring about 260 cumecs, Queenstown Lakes District harbourmaster Marty Black said.

The rescue operation was initiated when the empty craft floated past the base of the Shotover Jet.

The men should not have been on the river, Mr Black said. They were claiming they didn't need rescuing and contesting the bill, he said.

"Why should the community pay when it's a situation of their own making? It was not an option for us not to go - we must go (and search)."

The men said conditions were fine further up the river, but were "very happy" to see the helicopter, Mr Black said.

The river's flow was 130 cumecs when they entered the river, and was close to 200 cumecs when they were found. One of the pair had lost his kayak after injuring his finger.

Jet-boating and rafting operators had all stopped operating on the river that day due to the high flows, he said.

- NZPA