Shotover Jet driver at fault in crash

Driver error caused a Shotover Jet boat crash that hospitalised two people, a Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) investigation has found.

The crash was the second in three months by the company where the driver was at fault.

A 12-year-old Australian girl spent two days in hospital with suspected spinal injures and four of the other 13 passengers had whiplash injuries after the latest crash on January 10.

Maritime New Zealand spokesman Steve Rendle said the driver, who had completed 91 hours of solo driving since passing his licence – which included 120 hours of training – entered a turn at a ‘‘slightly incorrect’’ angle before hitting a rock face.

‘‘The vessel was also entering an area of disturbed water probably allowing air to enter under the hull, reducing the friction between the hull and water, therefore reducing control.

‘‘Both of these factors affected manoeuvreability in the turn, causing the jetboat to slide towards the left side of the river, hitting the rock wall at around 22kmh,’’ Rendle said.

Shotover Jet, owned by Ngai Tahu Tourism, accepted a MNZ recommendation that the company amend its driver training to put greater emphasis on defensive and evasive driving skills.

There would also be greater mentoring and monitoring of newly qualified drivers, and video footage would be made available for peer review.

A MNZ officer would monitor and help to implement the recommendations where necessary.

Shotover Jet southern regional manager David Kennedy said experienced drivers would provide more peer reviews of newer drivers.

‘‘We’re doing more training around the board,’’ he said.

The driver remained with the company.