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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| River death firm admits charges | River death firm admits charges |
| (about 17 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 river boarding - 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, Radio New Zealand reported. | 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 dropped | Other charges dropped |
| Miss Jordan, who had graduated from Swansea University, drowned after becoming trapped underwater for 20 minutes. | Miss Jordan, who had graduated from Swansea University, drowned after becoming trapped underwater 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 possible 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 possible survival rates if this happened. |
| We have lost a bright, compassionate, intelligent daughter - she was not drinking or messing about Chris Jordan, Emily's father | We have lost a bright, compassionate, intelligent daughter - she was not drinking or messing about Chris Jordan, Emily's father |
| The court heard that the firm had removed a safety regulation it had agreed with the local council when applying for permission to use the river. | The court heard that the firm had removed a safety regulation it had agreed with the local council when applying for permission to use the river. |
| A direction which required its staff to have external water training was dropped in favour of having in-house training. | A direction which required its staff to have external water training was dropped in favour of having in-house training. |
| 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. | 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. | He said there had never been a serious incident involving the rock under which Ms Jordan became trapped. |
| He also said the in-house training better reflected what the company was doing on the river. | He also said the in-house training better reflected what the company was doing on the river. |
| A third charge against the company and three charges against the company's director Brad McLeod were dropped. | A third charge against the company and three charges against the company's director Brad McLeod were dropped. |
| Ms Jordan's father Chris, who travelled to New Zealand for the hearing, said his family found it "offensive" that the company would face only fines. | Ms Jordan's father Chris, who travelled to New Zealand for the hearing, 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. | 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." | "Instead she was paying good money do something that had been promoted as good fun." |
| 'Not justice' | 'Not justice' |
| 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 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. |
| Miss Jordan's family also 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. | Miss Jordan's family also 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. |
| Speaking from the family home her mother, Sarah Jordan, said she did not feel justice had been done. | Speaking from the family home her mother, Sarah Jordan, said she did not feel justice had been done. |
| "Obviously, we have lost a daughter and a sister. | "Obviously, we have lost a daughter and a sister. |
| "It seems incredible there are no corporate manslaughter charges in New Zealand." | "It seems incredible there are no corporate manslaughter charges in New Zealand." |
| She said the family would campaign in New Zealand for extreme sports to be better regulated. | She said the family would campaign in New Zealand for extreme sports to be better regulated. |
| "We want to raise the profile of the fact that no-one realises how dangerous how it is," Mrs Jordan said. | "We want to raise the profile of the fact that no-one realises how dangerous how it is," Mrs Jordan said. |
| Sentencing is expected to take place on Tuesday. | Sentencing is expected to take place on Tuesday. |