Standard safety procedures were breached on the day rafting guide Tor Moen Prestmo died on the Rangitikei River, a court has been told.
Mr Prestmo, 24, drowned in October 2007 when he was swept under water after a collision between two rafts on a grade five rapid in the northern
Manawatu.
He became wedged behind a rock, one metre under the surface.
The Norwegian had been training with tourism operator River Valley Ventures for three weeks at the time of the accident.
Three other guides and 10 passengers survived the collision and were rescued.
River Valley Ventures, managing director Brian Leadson Megaw, and rafting instructor Koryn John Gould have pleaded not guilty in Taihape District Court to a total of 11 charges brought by Maritime New Zealand.
The company faces five charges, Megaw four charges, and Gould two charges under the Health and Safety in Employment Act, the Dominion Post reported.
At the hearing yesterday, crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk said the company had neglected standard operating procedures, including safety briefings and assessment of clients' abilities.
The hearing continues today.
- NZPA
