Clarence River rafting death: WorkSafe investigation underway, police confirm commercial company involved

WorkSafe has confirmed an investigation is underway after a person died following a rafting incident on the Clarence River. Photo / Stephen Russell

WorkSafe has confirmed an investigation is underway after a person died following a rafting incident on the Clarence River, which runs through the Kaikōura Ranges in the South Island.

Police said the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon.

The person is understood to have been rafting and passed away at the scene.

Multiple investigations are underway following a rafting death on the Clarence River, near Kaikōura.

A WorkSafe New Zealand spokesperson confirmed an investigation had been launched into the weekend rafting fatality on the Clarence River.

“We cannot comment further while our work is ongoing to establish the circumstances and parties involved,” the spokesperson said.

A police spokesperson told the Herald: “Police can advise that the rafting activity was run by a commercial company.”

It comes after the manager of Clarence River Rafting, Ben Judge, earlier said news of the death was very sad, saying the incident had nothing to do with his company or any of the other three operators who have concessions on the river.

“It would look like it was not a commercial raft trip, it was a private raft trip,” Judge said.

“I can’t 100 per cent confirm that but I can absolutely, 100 per cent confirm it wasn’t Clarence River Rafting,” said Judge, who said he had been in communication with the other companies who confirmed the incident did not occur on one of their river trips.