Lifejackets save two at Albert Town

Date:

Dec 27, 2014

Lifejackets enabled two people to escape without harm when their kayak sank on the Clutha River at Albert Town, near Wanaka, this afternoon.

The pair were paddling downstream in a two-person Indian-style kayak when they were swept broadside to the current and washed against one of the piles under the Albert Town bridge. The kayak bent and sank.

Queenstown Lakes District Harbourmaster Marty Black said the pair were wearing lifejackets and were able to get to shore unassisted.

Their boat was recovered later with the assistance of local jetboat company Clutha River Jet.

“It’s one of those situations where a pleasant afternoon on the river changed in an instant, but because they were both wearing lifejackets, they were able to get out of trouble when their boat sank,” Mr Black said.

QLDC’s bylaw requires everyone in a craft under 6m to wear a lifejacket at all times. “Lifejackets are not expensive compared to the cost of the boat, and certainly they’re not expensive at all compared to the cost of a life,” he said.