Lifesaver injured while testing pool slide

A New Plymouth swimming complex has delayed the introduction of a new "turboslide" after a lifesaver was badly injured while testing it out.

The 45-year-old woman ended up in hospital after testing the super-fast slide at the Todd Energy Aquatic Centre on Monday night.

The lifeguard was admitted to Taranaki Base Hospital's intensive care unit with concussion and a cut on her head. She also lost some teeth in the accident.

She was injured on a corner which had already left an earlier trialist injured, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

The $1m turboslide and a family slide had been due to open in October, but concerns over the speed of the turboslide had delayed its big day.

It was now unlikely to open until at least the third week of next month.

New Plymouth District Council general manager of customer services Cathy Thurston yesterday said the woman had been transferred to a general ward and was in a comfortable condition last night.

She said the slides would be recalibrated by contractors to limit the likelihood of such injuries occurring in the future.

The Department of Labour is investigating the incident.

The decision to include a turboslide as part of the aquatic centre makeover was made in March this year.

At the time council manager recreation and events Paul Nisbet said the slide would "give the public a memorable experience" as it would feature a bowl that would spin users around before spitting them into the water and a blacked-out area that would plunge them in to darkness.

- NZPA