Editorial: Jetboating death - Wait for inquiry

Scene of the accident on the Ngaruroro River. Photo/Stephen Parker

The jetboating accident on the Ngaruroro River that claimed the life of a 51-year-old New Plymouth man at the weekend is very sad.

As we have reported yesterday and today, the accident has shaken the close-knit New Zealand jetboating community. It is always hard when a sporting organisation, or any other grouping for that matter, loses a beloved friend and colleague.

Dale Baker, who by all accounts was a very good man, was killed when the boat he was driving - in a sanctioned excursion on the river - collided with a willow tree.

The full details of what happened are not known yet and the Maritime Safety Authority is investigating the accident, but Mr Baker was apparently a very experienced and safe jetboater.

I think that anyone who gets involved in a sport like jetboating realises that there is an element of danger involved. I suppose it is that thrill that makes it an exciting sport, but no one involved in this pursuit would ever want this outcome.

Ross Bailey, an experienced jetboater who was on the river when the accident happened, said it was one of those "unlucky" situations.

There will be some people who will probably say there should be tighter controls on jetboating, but we should wait to see the results of the investigation.

It will probably turn out that no one was at fault, but maybe there will be some additional safety measures that can be introduced. That could only help.

I am sure Jet Boating New Zealand would welcome that, because, by all accounts, they seem to be a quite responsible group that is serious about safety in their sport.