Worcester woman drowns on holiday (From Worcester News)

Worcester woman drowns on holiday

10:49am Wednesday 30th April 2008 in News By Lucy Tatchell

A WORCESTER woman has died while taking part in an extreme sport in New Zealand.

Twenty-one-year Emily Jordan became trapped between rocks and drowned while "riverboarding" - riding a body board on fast-flowing rapids.

She died in the Kawarau River Gorge near Queenstown on South Island, New Zealand police said.

Miss Jordan was travelling with the Mad Dog River Boarding Company.

The website of the Queenstown-based firm describes riverboarding as "the most personally challenging and action-packed water activity in New Zealand".

New Zealand police sergeant Stephen Ereckson said the group was in the gorge near the town of Cromwell when Ms Jordan became trapped between rocks in the middle of the river.

Guides struggled to free her for about 20 minutes, then took her to the riverbank and attempted to resuscitate her.

The river was flowing normally at the time and the incident will now be investigated, Sgt Ereckson said.

Brad McLeod, owner of the Mad Dog River Boarding Company, told Radio New Zealand the operator's emergency procedures were followed.

He described the drowning as his "worst nightmare" and said the company would be closed until further notice.

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