At approximately 2.15 this afternoon (April 29) a 21 year old British female visitor was drowned on the Kawarau River during a Mad Dog river boarding trip.

During the trip the woman became submerged and trapped between rocks. Emergency services were called immediately and emergency procedures followed.

River boarding guides worked to free the woman. It was 20 minutes before they were able to retrieve her from the water. The woman was moved to the river bank where emergency services had arrived. CPR was administered by the guides who were unable to resuscitate her.

River levels were low to normal for the time of year and the weather fine.

The company has cancelled operations until further notice. Owner Brad McLeod said his thoughts and sympathies were with the family of the woman who drowned.

Background information; Mad Dog River Boarding

The company has operated for 13 years. Current owner Queenstowner Brad McLeod purchased the company two years ago.

River Boarding is an action packed water activity where boarders are in the water on body boards for a guided experience through river rapids.

Mad Dog River Boarding runs from 50 metres below Natural Bridge (500 metres upstream from the Roaring Meg Power Station) in the Kawarau Gorge. The take out point is at Goldfields Mining Centre near Cromwell. Boarders are in the water for between one and one and a half hours.