Errors in emergency call

The person who took an emergency call about a man who died during a mountain bike race through singer Shania Twain's high-country station in Central Otago last year made several errors and delays, a coroner's court was told yesterday.

Jacob Schriek, 55, a Riversdale police officer, died after suffering chest pains on the Golspie Burn track during the 50km race from Glendhu Bay in Wanaka to Arrowtown, on March 14.

Inspector Warren Peter Kemp said the police communications call taker took too long to verify the location, waited seven minutes before entering it into the system, failed to ask the condition of the patient and was unsure of what information to ask.

Coroner David Crerar reserved his findings and recommendations.

- NZPA