AJ Hackett staff praised for jumping into help at crash site

AJ Hackett Bungy staff help paramedics and fire volunteers after Sunday's crash. Photo / Guy Williams

AJ Hackett Bungy staff have won praise from police and their boss for their response to a serious road crash outside the company's Kawarau Bridge operation on Sunday.

Operations at the busy tourist attraction were suspended while the company's first aid staff rushed out to the highway to help two injured motorcyclists about 2pm.

Two Queenstown men were injured, one seriously, when one rode into the back of the other about 100m from the Kawarau Bridge on the Gibbston Highway.

A Wellington-based police media adviser told the Otago Daily Times police wanted to pass on their "sincere thanks'' to the company for its staff help at the scene.

AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand chief executive David Mitchell would not be interviewed but said in an emailed statement he was "very proud'' of his team.

Under the direction of site supervisor Kate MacClennan the operation was put on hold while three of its qualified first-aiders treated the injured men.

Of the trio, one was a former paramedic and the others were trained in pre-hospital emergency care.

Other staff directed traffic, took detailed notes of the scene and dealt with witnesses, Mitchell said.

The bungy operation remained on hold for 45 minutes while the first-aiders stayed on to help after police, St John paramedics and fire volunteers arrived.

The seven staff involved had a debrief before the bungy operation was restarted, he said.

Police are investigating the crash, which they say also involved a car.

The accident coincided with the start of a crackdown on motorcyclists by Southern district police known as "Operation Rumble''.

Throughout this month, police are stopping motorcyclists in known risk areas to check licences, carry out breath-alcohol tests and ask about riding experience.