A WORCESTERSHIRE father whose daughter drowned in New Zealand says he is being treated “abysmally” by the authorities.

Chris Jordan had to go online to discover the latest developments in a prosecution against the company his daughter was riverboarding with when she died.

He said the New Zealand authorities were acting in an appalling manner and his family could not move forward until the court case was over.

“I have never known anything like it,” said Mr Jordan, of Trimpley, near Bewdley.

“They are acting as though we are not an interested party.”

As previously reported in your Worcester News, Emily Jordan drowned while riverboarding on the Kawarau river in New Zealand’s south island in April last year.

The 21-year-old former Alice Ottley School (now RGSAO) pupil was travelling with her boyfriend after graduating from Swansea University with a first class degree in law.

The riverboarding company Black Sheep Adventures Ltd and its director Brad McLeod have been charged with failing to ensure the actions or inaction of employees did not harm Miss Jordan.

Other charges, which have been laid under the Health and Safety Employment Act 1992, are failure to take all practical steps to ensure the safety of employees and the prevention of possible hazards.

The company and Mr McLeod have pleaded not guilty and the case has been adjourned until Monday, March 9.

After hearing nothing about the prosecution from Maritime New Zealand (MNZ), the organisation responsible for maritime safety, Mr Jordan was forced to go online and read about the update.

“It is ridiculous, the New Zealand authorities are acting in an appalling manner,” Mr Jordan said.

“The inquest has been delayed until after the prosecution and until the inquest takes place how are they going to recommend changes to the sport?

“In the meantime they continue to run the riverboarding trips with just safety recommendations. We are being treated abysmally.”

A spokesman for MNZ said: “MNZ has the deepest sympathy for Mr Jordan and his family. Our investigations team has been in regular contact with Mr Jordan, to keep him informed at every stage of the proceedings.

“Naturally, MNZ’s phone lines are always open to Mr Jordan and his family, should they have any queries which the organisation can assist them with.”