Kayaker speaks out on waterfall accident

Ryan Lucas' attempt to kayak the Tauranga-Taupo Falls almost cost him his life. PHOTO/PETER McKELLAR

Okere Falls extreme kayaker Ryan Lucas says his own technical error while riding a 25-metre waterfall was to blame for an accident that nearly killed him.

Mr Lucas, 25, failed to surface after riding over the waterfall on the Tauranga-Taupo River on Monday.

His kayaking partner, who was at the bottom looking out for him, immediately pulled him out and performed CPR on the riverside, reviving him.

Mr Lucas issued a statement via the Lakes District Health Board today. In it he said: "I'm feeling very grateful and lucky to be alive.

"I'm only here in the first instance because of my fellow friend and kayaker whose quick actions in pulling me out of the water while I was unconscious and then performing CPR, means I'm still here today.

"In addition I would like to thank everyone else involved in my rescue - Greenlea Rescue Helicopter, NZ Police, Search and Rescue and the medical people involved.

"I'd also like to mention that the accident happened because of a technical error on my part that clearly had serious consequences. I have run this waterfall previously and many others in my nine years of kayaking both in New Zealand overseas.

"On the day of the accident we scouted the waterfall and made a safety plan prior to running it.

"My recovery is going well. Thanks again to all concerned."

The kayaking friend, who is being regarded as a hero, made sure Mr Lucas was comfortable before scrambling 100m up a bank and walking five kilometres down a forestry road to get cellphone reception and raise the alarm.

A search and rescue operation was launched involving police, St John Ambulance and LandSar Turangi volunteers. NZ Forest staff were also deployed and the Taupo-based Greenlea Rescue Helicopter searched from above.

Using the mobile phone, the Greenlea Rescue Helicopter and ground crew were able to log Mr Lucas' general position in the wilderness and, using night vision goggles, spotted him stuck in a narrow, steep-sided part of the river.

"I think he may have knocked himself out and fortunately his friend who followed him down was able to pull him out of the water and do CPR on him," said Greenlea Rescue Helicopter pilot Nat Every.

He said when the helicopter crew first spotted the injured man he was desperately trying to get their attention.

"He was pretty distressed to begin with. He was jumping around and dancing. We managed to calm him down and then started to wonder how we were going to get this guy out."

The helicopter led a ground crew in four-wheel drive vehicles along forestry trails to the closest ridge above the injured kayaker's position.

Rescuers had to go on foot to the river's edge down the steep, bush-covered hillside. Within a short time, Mr Lucas was found on the edge of the river.

A fire that had been lit by his friend was clearly visible and ground teams were able to reach him by 3am, said Mr Shepherd.

Rescue teams began walking Mr Lucas up the steep slope but within a few minutes the plan was abandoned when he started to vomit blood. He was winched out and flown to Taupo Hospital before he being transferred to Rotorua Hospital.

The stricken kayaker, who was suffering from hypothermia, told the helicopter crew his friend had saved his life.

Mr Every said Mr Lucas was recognised as a world-class adventure kayaker and was understood to be the first person to kayak down the falls on a previous expedition.