Tourists hurt by Air New Zealand jet blast in Rarotonga

Three tourists had to be treated in hospital after suffering injuries when they were thrown back while watching an Air New Zealand aircraft take off from Rarotonga. Photo / YouTube

Three tourists had to be treated in hospital after suffering injuries when they were thrown back while watching an Air New Zealand aircraft take off from Rarotonga.

All three people were thrown to the ground, according to witnesses, with one being knocked out unconscious and the others injured.

Cook Islands News reported the trio had been on a public road while watching the aircraft take-off from Rarotonga International Airport last Thursday.

Despite warning signs placed on the perimeter fence of the airport, the spot is popular with tourists.

A local resident told the newspaper there needed to be more safety precautions made in order to stop people from standing at the spot.

"I do know that it is a popular place for young people to go and they 'surf' off the fence and hang on for dear life when the planes take off,'' the resident said.

Air NZ spokeswoman Imogen Dennis told the Herald the flight had run by the rules and regulations.

"This flight operated according to the standard operating procedures in place at Rarotonga Airport. We understand there are warning signs on the airport perimeter.''

The jet blast experience has been something tourists have been doing for a number of years in Rarotonga; with many uploading footage on social media including on video-sharing site YouTube.

In one video - taken by a man filming an Air NZ boeing 777 taking off in 2012 - the camera is still as it pans, following the aircraft. As the plane starts its take-off, the camera starts shaking violently and the person behind it steps back several metres as the sound from the take-off grows louder.

He accompanied the video with a message: "I filmed this while standing on the jet blast of an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-200 taking off from Rarotonga to Auckland. I got blown back, I lost my cap and had a mouth full of dust - but it was still one hell of an experience!''

The incident follows the release of a Cook Islands Tourism promotional video featuring two local boys and an elderly European tourist holding on to the fence of the airport - watching the jet blast.

With their eyes closed and their hair being forced back by the blast, the boys and the old man scream in delight as dust flies back towards them.