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5-7 High School Students & 1 Teacher Die in NZ River, More Missing
by Swan | April 15, 2008 at 06:59 am
1159 views | 40 Recommendations | 13 comments
This story is constantly changing with how many dead, if anyone else has news reported after 7:50 am, please add:
The New Zealand newspapers are reporting fewer students dead than Reuters AlertNet, who are now reporting 10 teenagers missing from the group.
Search and rescue teams and a helicopter equipped with night vision are looking for the missing teenagers. I've also included up-to-the-minute photographs from the New Zealand Herald.
AT least five New Zealand high school students are dead after being swept away in a raging river during a canyoning trip in the North Island.The students, from Auckland's Elim Christian College, were part of a 40-strong group on an outward bound river trip with the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
Another two students, aged 16 to 17, from the college are believed to be missing, the Associated Press reported.
Last night bad weather had put an end to search efforts, rescuers hoping to resume today if conditions improve.It is believed the group became separated from a larger group and swept away by rising waters.
Before the discovery of the five bodies, the school's principal, Murray Burton, confirmed students from his school were among those involved in the canyoning.
He said the students did not show up to be collected along with other students at the end of the activity late in the afternoon.
Mr Burton was informed they were missing about 5.50pm.
Did the teachers not get a weather report prior to the trip?
According to Reuters, the area in which it happened is rugged and sparsely populated, near a national park.
"At this stage a search is being conducted to locate these youths," said Taumarunui Police Inspector Steve Mastrovich."A helicopter swept the river before dark and another machine with night vision capability is en route. The weather is poor and this is hampering the search," he said in a statement.
6 horse riders were also caught in the storm, with one rider together with his horse, being killed by a lightning strike.
Northland Hunt spokeswoman Donna Austin, said:
"It was the most bizarre weather patterns, forked lightning, the lot and that is when the gentleman was struck and killed and so was his horse"
Reuters Alert Net
Ten Students Missing in New Zealand River Flood
by Adrian Bathgate
News.com.au
Students Killed in River Tragedy
By staff writers
New Zealand Herald
Four Students, One Teacher Dead in River Tragedy
by Elizabeth Binning
Times Online
Five Students Die in Canyoning Tragedy
IMAGE SOURCES:
New Zealand Herald
Four Students, One Teacher Dead in River Tragedy
April 15, 2008 at 06:59 am by Swan, 1159 views, 13 comments
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 07:04 on April 15th, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 07:17 on April 15th, 2008
Hello Jarrett,
This is such a tragic story.
David and I go whitewater rafting here in Oregon, mostly on Class 4-5 rivers and yes, it can be very dangerous.
I'm not sure what Class the river in question happens to be, but it seems like it may have been too dangerous for students who may have been only a couple of times on a lesser Class river, if at all.
Thank you for the GS flag and also the "More News Wanted" flag. I too, think that this an important story that needs follow up.
~ Swan
at 07:06 on April 15th, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff. Thanks for getting this story out so quickly.
at 07:22 on April 15th, 2008
Hello Amy,
Thank you for the GS flag, I hope they find the students, though I truly doubt that they will. I'll continue looking for updates in the newspapers this morning.
~ Swan
at 07:09 on April 15th, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.
at 07:24 on April 15th, 2008
Hello Sanjay,
Thank you for stopping by to read the article, for your comment and also for the GS flag. Time will tell how many of these students are left alive, I'm certainly hoping for more than I believe will really be found.
~ Swan
at 07:28 on April 15th, 2008
Swan, it is tragic. Thanks for bringing the story to NP.
at 07:45 on April 15th, 2008
Hello Rhonda,
It's lovely to see you drop by again and read one of my articles. I'm scouring newspapers at the moment and will report any updates.
Thank you for the GS flag and your comment.
~ Swan
at 13:55 on April 15th, 2008
the thing about NZ weather is that the geography means meaningful weather forcasts are hard to determine. It is narrow, and the hilly terian and oceanic infuence on both sides of the country means weather forcats much more than 1-3 hours can be hard.
I was in NZ and it was pouring rain and windy. Within 90 minutes it was clear, sunny and no wind.. Neither condition had been forecast (it was cloudy with light showers)
at 14:01 on April 15th, 2008
Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff. I read about this at 2am this morning, was going to report it, but details as you say Swan were really sketchy/ Good to see some more news is coming out.
at 19:25 on April 15th, 2008
Thank you, Swan. I do try to read as much as I can. There's a lot going on! You are welcome too!
at 15:45 on April 16th, 2008
There were 6 students and one teacher killed canyoning.
Police have also named the man who died when he and his horse were struck by lightning in the same storms.