Out of control jet boat causes chaos

Quick reactions meant only one spectator needed medical attention after driver Tony Ewens hit the bank. Pictures / Richard Jones, Big Seal Images

"Some screamed 'Look out', then it was just boom, then they just legged it."

Spectators at the World Jet Boat Marathon on Queenstown's Shotover River had to run for their lives yesterday, when Taranaki driver Tony Ewens lost control of his boat on a bend, travelling at nearly 140km/h.

The mayhem was captured by Big Seal Images photographer Richard Jones, who said the crowd of about 20 had seconds to react as the jet boat hurtled towards them.

Ewens in the Hell Raiser skidded across the shingle bank after spinning out at the confluence of the Kawarau and the Shotover rivers.

Mr Jones said coming into the corner boats travelled up to 140km/h, dropping down to about 80km/h as they rounded it. "A lot of people were very lucky. It was surprising how quickly they reacted."

The boat came within inches of hitting some in the crowd and managed to nick one spectator on the leg.

"He received some medical treatment for bruising," Mr Jones said. "It wasn't serious.

"They were all very lucky. They just legged it.

"It was over in seconds."

Race controller John McPhee downplayed the incident, saying it was not serious, but it did highlight the need for spectators to get well back from the water's edge.

Mr Ewens said when the boat grounded there was silence then Ewens called out, "Can we have a hand here".

"The crowd ran back and helped him push the boat back out. The great part was everyone gave him a hand to put it back in the water. That's just what boaties do," Mr Jones said.

He said Ewens carried on the race but would have been well behind the best time of 7 minutes run by Canadian driver Paddy Stratton who is leading following the first two legs.

The eight-day, 900km event, which started yesterday in Queenstown, will be staged on various rivers throughout Otago and Southland.

The discovery of the didymo bacteria forced race organisers to alter the race schedule days before the start to avoid already infected rivers.

- additional reporting NZPA