Instructor in tears as she tells of rising water levels

Jodie Sullivan told the court the weather forecast was discussed at the morning instructors' meeting. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Standing on a ledge in the Mangatepopo Gorge with cloudy water swirling around her knees, Jodie Sullivan felt she had no choice.

"It got to a point where we would only stay where we were and wait it out," the outdoor instructor said yesterday, breaking down into tears on day one of the week-long coroner's inquest into the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy.

Six students and one teacher from Auckland's Elim Christian College were swept away and drowned in the flooded gorge - in Tongariro National Park - in April 2008.

The families of those killed in the accident were present in the Auckland District Court yesterday as the hearing got under way with a prayer.

Ms Sullivan, 27 - whose voice was electronically masked for broadcast by court order - was calm as she took the stand.

She told the court she knew the danger signs. She had checked the water levels and colour before going into the gorge.

No one had advised her not to proceed, despite predicted thunderstorms, she told Crown solicitor Ben Vanderkolk.

She said the group was excited about the expedition and played games near the dam at the bottom, before she led them in.

Ms Sullivan said the water level had risen slightly, but she wasn't concerned.

"I could still see the rocks at the top of the dam," she said. "The water was clear and running at the same speed I'd seen it earlier."

The group was mixed up to suit confidence and the students were "still happy and very excited", she said.

When Mr Vanderkolk asked if some were crying, as per statements given to police, Ms Sullivan said "not that I remember".

When the group reached the halfway ledge - where there is an alternative "escape" route - Ms Sullivan turned them around to head back, still happy with conditions.

But on crossing the river she noticed the water was cloudy and rising. Light was bad as the gorge was shaded by canopy. Ms Sullivan said she had underestimated how fast the river rose between 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

About 50m from safety, after another crossing, the group stopped on the ledge.

It was describing this point that Ms Sullivan broke down.

Coroner Christopher Devonport called for a five-minute break and her sobs could be heard from down the hall.

When she returned, her lawyer William McCartney continued reading her statement.

She had not spoken publicly since the tragedy and declined taking part in restorative justice meetings, despite attending all seven funerals.

Last September, Ms Sullivan left New Zealand to work at Camp America, still "deeply traumatised" by the tragedy, the Herald on Sunday reported.

Ms Sullivan told the court the weather forecast was discussed at the morning instructors' meeting the day of the tragedy.

She was to continue giving evidence today.