A number of safety policies were not followed on the day a prison inmate drowned while taking part in a wananga on Mokoia Island, the Rotorua Coroner's Court has heard.
Coroner David Dowthwaite told the leader of the Mokoia Island Wananga, Mita Mohi, he was concerned about the events leading up
to the drowning of Aupai Bruce Tohu from Lower Hutt on January 3, 2000.
"It appears that Mr Tohu could not swim yet he was not wearing a lifejacket - which is against your policy. And, when the boat went out, there was no safety boat," he said.
The court heard evidence yesterday from Mr Mohi who said the 14 people on the waka included 12 prison inmates. They were being led by his son, Patrick Mohi, aged 13, and Benjamin Delaney aged 19.
Mr Mohi, represented by counsel John Chadwick from Rotorua, told the court he believed the two tutors had the skills to lead the waka session.
Counsel Martin Dawson from Wellington, who represented Mr Tohu's parents Sarah and John Tohu, queried Mr Mohi about why the inmates, who had no previous paddling experience, were not wearing life jackets.
Mr Mohi said the wananga students were asked when they joined the course whether they could swim and whether they wanted to wear life jackets.
Counsel Chris Morris from Auckland, who represented the Department of Corrections, said the wananga should ensure in future all trainee paddlers wore life jackets.
The inquest is continuing today.
- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)
