Two girls from the North Canterbury township of Hanmer Springs died yesterday on a school canoeing trip.
Annabel Atkinson and Hayley North, both aged about 12, were killed when their canoe overturned on a section of the Clarence River near Jacks Pass, 7km northof the township, about 9 am.
Hanmer Springs Primary School principal Neil Batten said the group of seven children and three adults were on an organised canoeing trip.
Sergeant Dave Harvey said police were alerted just after 11 am that a Canadian-type canoe had overturned after hitting a rock.
The swift current created a pressure wave over the rock, trapping two of the girls under water, he said.
More than 20 rescue workers - including Hayley's father, volunteer fireman Phil North - spent almost three hours using ropes in a vain attempt to free the canoe before heavy equipment arrived.
A local man said both girls attended religious studies classes and one was a member of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
He said the close-knit community was "very subdued" last night.
Only three days ago, the township had marked the first anniversary of the death of a young Hanmer Springs boy on the Waiau River.
Sergeant Harvey said words could not describe the impact the accident would have on the local community of about 600.
"Everyone knows everyone here, so everyone will be affected in some way. We're lucky we've got good Victim Support people here."
Sergeant Harvey said the river was a popular canoeing destination and the flow no worse than normal.
Whitewater Canoe Club member Barry Boyd said the section of the river where the girls drowned was mild. "There would have to be an element of bad luck in it for sure."
Maritime Safety Authority director Russell Kilvington said an investigation into the accident had begun.
