Rafter nearly drowns on Rangitata

A man nearly drowned on Saturday after being swept from a raft on Canterbury's Rangitata River.

Christchurch accountant Brian Finlay was in one of seven rafts negotiating the Rangitata on Saturday when his boat got caught in a rapid and he was swept under the water.

"We went down into a big hole and the whole thing folded up and I got thrown out. I got swept away very quickly. I drank in water and came up a couple of times and then just lost it."

Rafting crew pulled an unconscious Mr Finlay out of the water and performed first aid to clear the water from his lungs.

Mr Finlay was flown by helicopter to Christchurch Hospital, where he was found to be unharmed.

- NZPA