river tradgeaty

Elim Christian College will hold a special service for the seven victims during their regular service at the school this Sunday. They are considering holding a memorial service in the weeks after that.
7.49pm:
Elim Christian College head girl Jessica Mulder says students are in a state of shock and extremely upset.
She says she knew all the people who were killed, but feels more personally affected because Anthony Mulder, one of the seven victims, was her cousin.
6.09pm:
The instructor involved in yesterday's river tragedy was a grief-stricken but highly qualified and competent instructor, OPC chief executive Grant Davidson said.
He said she was receiving counselling and was being sheltered from the media.
5.15pm:
A friend of Elim Christian College teacher Tony McClean says he was trying to carry a student on his back to safety before he died.
His friend Helen told Newstalk ZB's Danny Watson that Mr McClean would have done everything he could to try to get the students to safety.

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She says he was a naturally sporty man, with good experience in water, who had even been to Nepal to help the poor.
3.50pm:
The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre chairman Grant McKenzie and three fellow trustees joined mourners at Elim Christian College this afternoon, where they expressed their condolences to college principal Murray Burton.
"This is an absolute tragedy and our heartfelt sympathy and support goes out to each of the families, fellow school pupils and the wider community," Mr McKenzie, who lives in nearby Pakuranga, said.
"I got in touch with Mr Burton last night and have remained in constant contact since.
"All OPC Hillary staff and trustees are absolutely devastated by what has happened and I passed on their thoughts and expressions of sympathy to him."
Mr McKenzie said the OPC Hillary Centres trust was conducting its own internal investigation and would provide police with all information that will assist them with their enquiries.
The OPC Hillary Centre has closed its operations for the remainder of the week.
3.30pm:
Statement in Parliament by Tariana Turia, co-leader of the Maori Party:
"I stand today, extending my gaze from the mountains to the sea, thinking of those who have lost their lives in the Mangatepopo Gorge and their whanau.
"Our tears flow as we think of the tragedy that has occurred within the Tongariro River, a tragedy which has dealt a savage blow to the families, the Elim Christian College, as well as the staff of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and indeed all who were involved in this tragic event.
that the parents, the wider families and the school community must be feeling at this time.
"We can but express our deepest condolences for young lives lost.
"The whole process of living, growing and maturing involves taking risks and testing boundaries.
"Each of those young people - and I include in our thoughts their young teacher - connect through to families who had dreams and aspirations that will now not be realised, so tenuous is life.
"The Maori Party has been shocked at the terrible tragedy that took place at the headwaters of the Whanganui River, a tragedy which extinguished so much hope and potential.
"We offer our sincere condolences to those who have been affected."
2:25pm:
A lot of flowers have been brought into the Elim Christian College this afternoon, with one woman bringing in a Kowahi tree.
The students have arrived back from camp and been ushered into the school chapel. Parents have also arrived to pick up their children and some are now leaving.
1.50pm: The Department of Labour says it will be conducting an investigation into the tragedy, alongside the Coroner and Police probes.
"The Department of Labour will generally investigate events when a person is seriously harmed or killed in a place of work.
The person could be an employee, or any other person - including contractors or members of the public - who comes into contact with the place of work."
1:27pm:
The bus carrying 30 to 40 students from the OPC has arrived at Elim Christian College to emotional scenes. The students and parents gather in the school's chapel.
1:16pm:
A memorial service for the students has already been considered.
School Principal Murray Burton said Manukau City mayor Len Brown has offered the Telstra Dome as a venue free of charge.
1:10pm:
The father of river victim Natasha Bray said his daughter was anxious about the bad weather before leaving but determined to make the most of the experience.
Mr Bray said the death of his daughter had tested his faith: "Without doubt we don't have faith."
But he said he didn't blame the OPC for her death.
"They have got a process to go through, we don't have an axe to grind," Mr Bray said.
12:17pm:
Students have written personal messages to the six students and teacher who died yesterday afternoon.
"Your community loves you and is praying for you", reads one message.
A box of crayons and a pile of paper sit on the seat waiting for more students to pay tribute to their class mates.
Bouquets of flowers have also been laid on the small stage at the front of the chapel.
Emotional students are trickling through with their arms around each other as parents and school staff look on.
12:03am:
Education Minister Chris Carter has arrived at Elim Christian College from Wellington this morning to support the grieving school.
"None of us can imagine the pain the parents must be suffering who have lost their children," Mr Carter said.
He couldn't comment on any severe weather warnings.
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