Speed a factor in 2009 fatal river crash

File photo / Martin Sykes

A collision between a jet-ski and jet-boat which killed two men happened because both vessels were travelling too fast and the jet-boat was on the wrong side of the Kawarau River, investigators say.

Jet-boat driver Lawrence Brett Singleton and passenger Anton Woitasek died in the smash near Queenstown in January 2009. Another passenger was injured.

Despite receiving critical injuries, the jet-ski passenger survived. Her driver, who suffered serious injuries, also survived.

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) report released its findings today and found the jet-boat was on the wrong side of the river at the time of the crash.

The two vessels approached each other at unsafe speeds from behind overhanging willow trees and there was not enough time to take effective action.

No one on the jet-boat was wearing a life-jacket and investigators believed the two men - who died from drowning - might have been saved in time had they been wearing the proper safety gear.

Protective helmets would have protected against serious injuries sustained by three of the five people involved in the crash.

Queenstown Lakes District Council had lifted a bylaw speed restriction and had increased the risk to all river users and the risk of fatal accidents by doing so, investigators said.

TAIC also criticised the wording of the council's bylaw which said all vessels must keep on the right side which could mislead river users into thinking all river traffic on the right side would be travelling in the same direction.

Six safety recommendations have been made to Maritime New Zealand, the Secretary for Transport, the chief executive of Local Government New Zealand and the chief executive of the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

- NZPA