Tragic Harihari river crossing: WorkSafe won't take any action

WorkSafe will take no action about the tragic Harihari river crossing last year that cost the lives of sharemilker Michael Saunders' two-year-old daughter Emily and Greymouth man Barry Petrie, 66. Photo / File

By Janna Sherman

WorkSafe NZ says it will not be taking any action after completing its investigation into a tragic river crossing near Harihari last year that cost two lives.

Last Friday, former Harihari sharemilker Michael Saunders avoided conviction when he appeared in the Christchurch District Court on two charges of dangerous driving causing the death of his two-year-old daughter Emily and Greymouth man Barry Petrie, 66.

Mr Saunders was behind the wheel when a rising Poerua River submerged his four-wheel-drive vehicle, which was also carrying his wife Sandra and one other man, who survived the ordeal.

When the vehicle stalled, Emily and Mr Petrie - who tried to rescue her - were swept away. Mr Petrie's body was found soon after but Emily's body was never recovered.

Judge Jane Farish said on Friday the consequences of a conviction would be out of proportion to the criminality.

She told Mr Saunders: "You have already been held accountable for the harm caused. There is nothing the court can do that will hold you more accountable than you already feel."

Search and rescue teams at the Poerua River near Harihari last June. Photo / One News

Work Safe has been conducting its own investigation into the June 9, 2016, accident.

A spokesman confirmed yesterday its investigation had been completed and no further action was being taken.

The investigation report was currently going through the final sign-off process and would then be provided to the coroner, the spokesman said.

Judge Farish granted Mr Saunders a discharge without conviction but ordered him to pay reparation of $5000 to Mr Petrie's widow.

The judge said she assessed Mr Saunders' culpability as low. He was making his third trip of the day across the Poerua River, a journey he made almost daily on the farm where he worked at that time.

Carrying out dangerous tasks sometimes led to a false sense of confidence, she said. In this case, that led to tragic consequences, she said.

- Hokitika Guardian