Skyline Rotorua has defended its safety record after a video of luge crashes circulated online, as it's revealed Rotorua luge injuries cost ACC more than $140,000 last year.
Footage of the "worst luge crashes caught on camera" released by Newshub featured people crashing into each other intentionally on Skyline Rotorua's luge track and on its track in the South Island, and other non-related tracks overseas.
Figures released by ACC show 282 claims were made for luge injuries in Rotorua last year, costing a total of $144,176.
Skyline Rotorua general manager Bruce Thomasen told the Rotorua Daily Post the business hosted 1.2 million luge rides in 2016 and more than 18 million since opening the luge in 1985.
"The majority of accidents are a result of group racing and riders bumping into each other, with most injuries happening to male riders aged 15 to 45 years of age.
He said Skyline Rotorua had full time staff, trained to pre-hospital care first aid levels, available to respond immediately to any incident.
"In 2016, we had 236 accidents on site seen to by our first aid responders, this includes everything from a small graze requiring a [plaster]up to accidents requiring further treatment off site for sprains, cuts and fractures.
"Skyline Luge has comprehensive health and safety systems, procedures and trained staff in place to instruct and deal with any potential incident at the site.
"These systems and procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure they are as robust as possible."
He said there was clear signage cautioning riders to slow down.
"We also have three skill levels of track, a scenic (beginner), intermediate and advanced track and all first time rides of the day must be taken on either the scenic or intermediate track only.
"Our staff instruct all riders before they go down the track to display a brake test, before they are allowed to proceed and enjoy the luge experience."
A comprehensive set of rules shows what riders should and shouldn't do on Skyline Rotorua's luge track.
According to ACC, the injuries that were the subject of claims were described as "laceration, puncture, sting, soft tissue injury and fracture or dislocation".
In 2015, there were 825 ACC claims for mountain biking injuries in the Rotorua district, costing more than $1.2 million.
Rotorua Hospital's ambulatory services clinical director Dr Peter Freeman said they saw many patients from the luge, "but they are mostly minor [accidents]".
"The most common condition is grazing from contact with the track which can occur if a corner is taken too fast or carts collide," he said.
Destination Rotorua chief executive Michelle Templer said Rotorua's visitor activities and attractions, like any New Zealand businesses, needed to comply with New Zealand Health and Safety regulations.
"In addition to these the visitor industry has also established Qualmark, New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation, as an additional level of quality assurance.
"We do always however ask that visitors to our region continue to use common sense and abide by the rules provided by our operators."
