Fatal canyoning trip court hearing next week

Department of Labour charges against the outdoor pursuits centre which ran a fatal canyoning trip in April will be heard next week.

Six students and a teacher from Auckland's Elim Christian College died when they were hit by a torrent of water while canyoning in the Mangatepopo Gorge near Turangi on April 15.

In October the department laid four charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act against the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre (OPC).

The hearing is due to take place in Taumarunui District Court on January 22.

Two charges related to OPC's obligations to protect the instructor who went into the gorge with the students and teacher.

The third related to OPC's obligation to ensure that its employee's actions didn't expose others to avoidable risks.

The fourth charge related to OPC's obligation to appropriately ensure the safety of other people in the place of work.

- NZPA