Maritime NZ starts investigation into jet boats colliding on Whanganui River

The Whanganui Coastguard was called to a serious jet boat crash last Saturday. Photo / NZME

Maritime NZ is investigating a collision between two jet boats on the Whanganui River.

The formal investigation comes after inquiries were made earlier this week into the incident.

Four people were hospitalised after last week’s crash, with one female seriously injured.

The crash was on a stretch of river about 500m from Hipango Park about 1pm on March 1.

Maritime NZ said it had spoken to witnesses as well as local emergency service responders.

Whanganui Coastguard president Mike Carson believed privately owned boats were involved.

He said crashes were “never considered normal”.

“I do know it was quite a narrow stretch of water where the accident happened, and it was on a corner.”

Eva de Jong is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicle covering health stories and general news. She began as a reporter in 2023.