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River death firm admits charges River death firm admits charges
(about 2 hours later)
A New Zealand extreme sports company has admitted two health and safety charges relating to the death of a Worcestershire woman.A New Zealand extreme sports company has admitted two health and safety charges relating to the death of a Worcestershire woman.
Emily Jordan, 21, of Trimpley, near Bewdley, died in April 2008 when she became trapped beneath a rock in the Kawarau River, near Queenstown.Emily Jordan, 21, of Trimpley, near Bewdley, died in April 2008 when she became trapped beneath a rock in the Kawarau River, near Queenstown.
She had been riverboarding - where people ride a body board on fast-flowing rapids.She had been riverboarding - where people ride a body board on fast-flowing rapids.
The trial heard Ms Jordan could have been saved had a rope been available.The trial heard Ms Jordan could have been saved had a rope been available.
But the firm had said it did not keep ropes at hand as they could be a hazard if they became tangled. But the firm had said it did not keep ropes at hand as they could be a hazard if they became tangled, Radio New Zealand reported.
Other charges droppedOther charges dropped
She drowned after becoming trapped under water for 20 minutes.She drowned after becoming trapped under water for 20 minutes.
Ms Jordan's boyfriend, Jonny Armour, who had been travelling around New Zealand with her, told the court they had not been warned about the risk of getting trapped under rocks or the survival rates if this happened.Ms Jordan's boyfriend, Jonny Armour, who had been travelling around New Zealand with her, told the court they had not been warned about the risk of getting trapped under rocks or the survival rates if this happened.
Nigel Kendrick, operations manager in charge of the trip, had told the court he had navigated the Kawarau River about 2,000 times with 25,000 customers and there had never been a serious incident involving the rock under which she became trapped. They had no ropes, and did not even know how to use them - completely ridiculous Chris Jordan, Emily's father
A third charge against the company and three charges against the company's director Brad McLeod were dropped, Radio New Zealand reported. The court heard that the firm had deleted safety regulations it had agreed with the local council, which required its staff to be trained in swift water rescue.
The company could face a $250,000 fine on each of the two charges. Nigel Kendrick, operations manager in charge of the trip, told the court he had navigated the Kawarau River about 2,000 times with 25,000 customers.
He said there had never been a serious incident involving the rock under which Ms Jordan became trapped.
A third charge against the company and three charges against the company's director Brad McLeod were dropped.
Ms Jordan's father Chris said his family found it "offensive" that the company would face only fines.
He said: "We have lost a bright, compassionate, intelligent daughter. She was not drinking or messing about.
"Instead she was paying good money do something that had been promoted as good fun."
He called for greater regulation of extreme sports in New Zealand and said he was in contact with families of others who had died taking part in such activities in the country.
He criticised the country's laws which meant the company did not need insurance and no inquest would necessarily be held into his daughter's death.
He said companies operating riverboarding should provide better life jackets and offer people taking part more training before letting them go on more dangerous rivers.
Sentencing is expected to take place on Tuesday.