New Zealand Kayak Accident: 2 Dead, 9 Injured In Lake Tekapo

Gaskin said the group was caught by a strong wind on scenic Lake Tekapo in New Zealand’s South Island and had found themselves in the water.

Two were reportedly in a serious condition having been taken to nearby Timaru Hospital, although the New Zealand Herald later said their condition had stabilised.

“Lake Tekapo is very unsafe”.

He said the kayakers would be interviewed today, and police would start reconstructing the incident.

Three of the tourists are being treated for hypothermia in Timaru Hospital where their condition this morning is described as comfortable.

The man who rented out the boats called the emergency services when he realised the weather had changed.

“I think all of them are very lucky to be alive, ” Insp Gaskin said last night.

The tragedy helped prompt an Environment Canterbury rule that made the wearing of life jackets mandatory on small boats in its lakes.

The group – all aged in their early 20s – were travelling around New Zealand in campervans and had arranged to meet at Lake Tekapo.

Police said people got into trouble after a sudden change in the weather. “They are obviously extremely distressed”.

Hotel manager Rey Mendoza said he saw what appeared to be a body in a blue bag carried on a stretcher to an ambulance at the Tekapo Volunteer Fire Brigade station. New Zealand Oceanographic Institute research shows the surface water temperature of Lake Tekapo in January can be up to 17C.

If the status is closed due to wind please understand that it is for safety reasons as the wind is a lot stronger on the Lake and the waves the wind create can be deceiving when viewing from the beach.

AquaNorts declined to comment when contacted by the Otago Daily Times.

Mackenzie District Mayor Claire Barlow said yesterday’s accident had been a huge ordeal for the local community.