OPC missed warnings which could have prevented tragedy (+photos)

Family and friends grieve at Elim Christian College today, and right, the stretch of river where four bodies were found. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey / Nikki Williams

Questions are being asked why the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC) didn't heed heavy rain warnings which could have prevented the deaths of seven people in the Mangatepopo River yesterday.

MetService Forecast manager Peter Kreft told One News an "explicit" heavy rain warning was sent out at 8.29am yesterday.

"This particular warning included explicit mention that people needed to be aware of rapidly rising rivers and streams as a consequence of very high hourly rainfall rates expected in some areas," Mr Kreft said.

The Radio Network's weather analyst Philip Duncan supported that stance
saying a warning of flash flooding had been issued for regions from Taupo northwards, along with lightning warnings.

But OPC chief executive Dr Grant Davidson said his staff never received the MetService warnings.

"We didn't receive the information. We subscribe to a met fax service .. that met fax arrives in time for a briefing of staff at 8 o'clock in the morning," Dr Davidson said.

"The met fax that was released to us at 6.15 had none of that information on."

The OPC also confirmed the instructor leading the group had been in the job for just three months.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC) employee survived the flash flood that caused the water level in the Mangatepopo Stream to rapidly rise.

Six students and one teacher died in what was described as a flash flood on the river in the Tongariro National Park.

The grief-stricken instructor was sheltered from the news media today, but Dr Davidson said she was a competent, qualified outdoor pursuits instructor with a physical education degree and post-graduate certificate in outdoor education.

"Our main concern for her is just her own well-being at the moment," Dr Davidson told NZPA.

"She is obviously very shaken and disturbed and grief stricken by the events that have unfolded.

"She needs support and counselling and that's what we are providing."

Mr Davidson said the centre's field manager, who had 10 years' local knowledge, was ultimately responsible for making decisions about whether or not to undertake certain activities.

The principal of Elim Christian College, Murray Burton, wanted answers today over the decision to take students down the Mangatepopo River.