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Click refresh to get the latest breaking news on the school river tragedy. Six students and one teacher from Elim College, Howick, Auckland were killed on Tuesday when a flash flood swept down a central North Island stream while they were canyoning at an outdoor pursuits centre.

Latest News on the canyoning tragedy. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Latest News on the canyoning tragedy. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Latest News:

9.24pm:

Elim Christian College will hold a special service for the seven victims during their regular service at the school this Sunday. They are considering holding a memorial service in the weeks after that.

7.49pm:

Elim Christian College head girl Jessica Mulder says students are in a state of shock and extremely upset.

She says she knew all the people who were killed, but feels more personally affected because Anthony Mulder, one of the seven victims, was her cousin.

6.09pm:

The instructor involved in yesterday's river tragedy was a grief-stricken but highly qualified and competent instructor, OPC chief executive Grant Davidson said.

He said she was receiving counselling and was being sheltered from the media.

5.15pm:

A friend of Elim Christian College teacher Tony McClean says he was trying to carry a student on his back to safety before he died.

His friend Helen told Newstalk ZB's Danny Watson that Mr McClean would have done everything he could to try to get the students to safety.

She says he was a naturally sporty man, with good experience in water, who had even been to Nepal to help the poor.

3.50pm:

The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre chairman Grant McKenzie and three fellow trustees joined mourners at Elim Christian College this afternoon, where they expressed their condolences to college principal Murray Burton.

"This is an absolute tragedy and our heartfelt sympathy and support goes out to each of the families, fellow school pupils and the wider community," Mr McKenzie, who lives in nearby Pakuranga, said.

"I got in touch with Mr Burton last night and have remained in constant contact since.

"All OPC Hillary staff and trustees are absolutely devastated by what has happened and I passed on their thoughts and expressions of sympathy to him."

Mr McKenzie said the OPC Hillary Centres trust was conducting its own internal investigation and would provide police with all information that will assist them with their enquiries.