Maritime to investigate jetboat grounding

Maritime New Zealand will investigate an incident where five people were injured after an adventure jetboat ran aground near Hanmer Springs in Canterbury today.

The people were airlifted to Christchurch hospital suffering minor back and neck injuries after the boat, run by Thrillseekers Canyon Adventure, hit an exposed riverbed on the Waiau River just before midday.

Maritime NZ spokeswoman Christl McMillan told NZPA they would automatically investigate serious incidents such as today's.

A spokesman from the adventure company also said they would be launching an investigation into the grounding.

Southern police communications spokesman Brendan Lake said there were 11 people were on board the jetboat at the time.

They were all carried safely to shore.

- NZPA