Specialist divers work to lift Yan Wang from the confluence of the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers, at Queenstown. Photo / Otago Daily Times
Police have named the Chinese tourist who was killed when a jetboat flipped on the Shotover River in Central Otago.
She was 42-year-old Yan Wang, who was found under the upturned 2.5 tonne jetboat after the crash, near Queenstown last Thursday.
The Kawarau Jet boat was carrying 22
passengers, all from a Chinese tour party, when it flipped where the Shotover and Kawarau rivers meet.
Seven members of the tour party were hurt.
Queenstown police have been in touch with Mrs Wang's husband in China and a group of six people (family members and business associates) were now travelling to Queenstown from China.
Detective Sergeant Grahme (crrt) Bartlett of Queenstown CIB said they would arrive on Wednesday and would meet with police.
A request has been made that the media respect the family's wishes for privacy, but a media conference may be arranged once all family members have been informed.
Police were continuing their inquiries into the accident, he said.
Meanwhile, Kawarau Jet has resumed commercial operations after last week's crash .
Company director Andrew Brinsley said it resumed operations yesterday after a Maritime New Zealand clearance.
The boat involved in the accident was not in use and the driver was "taking things at his own pace".
The driver had been back to the scene and had been for a ride on a jetboat to ease himself back into it, Mr Brinsley told NZPA.
He said the driver was trying to remain as positive as possible.
Community support had been "phenomenal from all areas" and the company wanted to acknowledge all the help it had received.
Most of the Chinese tour party left New Zealand as scheduled.
Two people remained in New Zealand, one was recently released from hospital and the other remained in Dunedin Hospital, Mr Brinsley said.
He said Kawarau Jet was hoping to help Mrs Wang's family when they arrived from Shanghai.
- NZPA
