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Father warns over 'extreme sport' | |
(19 minutes later) | |
The father of a 21-year-old woman who died after being trapped underwater in New Zealand has criticised new "extreme sports" activities. | 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. | 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. | 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?" | 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. | 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 | 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? | 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." | "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 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. | 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. | 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." | "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. | 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." |
Ms Jordan's former tutor at The Alice Ottley School said she had been an "excellent pupil". | Ms Jordan's former tutor at The Alice Ottley School said she had been an "excellent pupil". |
Ms Jordan's parents last saw their daughter in February | |
Jo Marsh said: "Emily was full of life. She relished challenges and took advantage of all the opportunities open to her here." | 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". | 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." | 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. |
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". |