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Boarding death father's warning | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The father of a 21-year-old woman who died after being trapped underwater in New Zealand has criticised new "extreme sports" activities. | |
Emily Jordan, from Trimpley, near Bewdley, Worcs, was river-boarding in the Kawarau River gorge when she became stuck under rocks and drowned. | |
Ms Jordan was on a six-month trip when the accident happened on Tuesday. | |
Her father Chris said: "Every day we seem to hear of a new extreme sport. Are they trying to push it too far?" | |
Sgt Stephen Ereckson, of New Zealand Police, said Ms Jordan had been with a group when the incident happened near Cromwell on the South Island. | |
He said guides tried for about 20 minutes to free her from rocks in the middle of the river before attempts were made to resuscitate her on the riverbank. | He said guides tried for about 20 minutes to free her from rocks in the middle of the river before attempts were made to resuscitate her on the riverbank. |
I was really quite upset about her going, even just for six months Sarah Jordan | |
Mr Jordan added: "Are they trying to out-do each other to come up with a new sport to attract these kids to do it? | |
"I think maybe people need to stand back and get some reality into this." | |
Ms Jordan graduated last year from Swansea University with a first-class law degree. | |
Ms Jordan's mother Sarah said she had last seen her daughter in February before she set off on the trip with her boyfriend. | |
Her mother said: "I was really quite upset about her going, even just for six months. | |
'Worst nightmare' | 'Worst nightmare' |
"I knew I was going to miss her but obviously I thought she would be coming back at the end of August." | |
The owner of Mad Dog River Boarding Company, Brad McLeod, told Radio New Zealand the incident was his "worst nightmare". | The owner of Mad Dog River Boarding Company, Brad McLeod, told Radio New Zealand the incident was his "worst nightmare". |
He said the firm would be closed until further notice. | He said the firm would be closed until further notice. |
In a statement, Mr McLeod said "My staff and I are struggling to come to terms with the events of yesterday and we can't begin to imagine how difficult this is for Emily's family, partner and friends. | |
"We are now in an investigative stage of the events that took place on the river and are working with the authorities through that process." | "We are now in an investigative stage of the events that took place on the river and are working with the authorities through that process." |
'Outstanding student' | |
Ms Jordan's former tutor at The Alice Ottley School said she had been an "excellent pupil". | |
Jo Marsh said: "Emily was full of life. She relished challenges and took advantage of all the opportunities open to her here." | |
Her tutor at Swansea University Dr Bebhinn Donnelly described Ms Jordan as an "outstanding student". | |
Dr Donnelly said: "She was a very pleasant and friendly person, who was well-liked and respected by both the staff and students." | |
Senior Constable Chris Blackford, of Queenstown Police, said Ms Jordan's family were preparing to fly out to New Zealand. | Senior Constable Chris Blackford, of Queenstown Police, said Ms Jordan's family were preparing to fly out to New Zealand. |
'Blasting through infamous rapids' | |
He said they would be arriving in Auckland on Friday morning local time. | He said they would be arriving in Auckland on Friday morning local time. |
The sport of river-boarding involves single participants lying on a body board as they ride through rapids. | The sport of river-boarding involves single participants lying on a body board as they ride through rapids. |
The Mad Dog River Boarding Company's website said the sport was suited to people who "have a reasonable swimming ability". | The Mad Dog River Boarding Company's website said the sport was suited to people who "have a reasonable swimming ability". |
It said the activity, which includes six rapids and lasts about 45 minutes, leads participants down the "Mighty Kawarau River, blasting through the infamous Roaring Meg rapids". | It said the activity, which includes six rapids and lasts about 45 minutes, leads participants down the "Mighty Kawarau River, blasting through the infamous Roaring Meg rapids". |