Battle to rescue law graduate in tragedy
The battle to rescue Wyre Forest law graduate Emily Jordan, who drowned on a river adventure trip, has been described to a court in New Zealand.
Help reached Miss Jordan 30 to 40 seconds after she became trapped under "a heavy flow of water" but she was not dragged free until 20 minutes later.
Miss Jordan, 21, from Trimpley, near Bewdley, had become trapped between rocks while riverboarding in the Kawarau River Gorge in April last year. Her boyfriend Jonny Armour said that as he stood on the riverbank with minutes ticking by, he realised she must have been dead.
The court heard how the couple were half way through a six-month back-packing trip. When Miss Jordan hit trouble a guide from Black Sheep Adventures reached her 30 to 50 seconds later but it was not until 20 minutes later that Miss Jordan was pulled from the water after a different riverboarding company provided a rescue rope.
Black Sheep Adventures Ltd and company director Brad McLeod both face three charges under New Zealand's Health and Safety in Employment Act.
A court in Queenstown heard yesterday the firm was ill-equipped for a rescue operation and had not sufficiently briefed customers about the risks involved.
The trial continues.
