How the tragedy unfolded
Tuesday: 11.30am - A severe thunderstorm watch was issued from Northland to Taupo. Such high rainfall can cause flash flooding and slips, the warning said.
Noon and 3pm: The party, including a fully trained guide, check the water flow. It was 0.5 cubic metres per second.
Mid afternoon: The group of 10 pupils, one teacher and a guide starts its excursion.
3.30pm: The stream flow has risen to 18cum per second.
Shortly after 4pm: The group are 30 metres from the end of their trip, walking along the Mangatepopo Gorge, when the rush of water pushes them over a six-metre vertical drop toward the rocks below. The instructor makes an emergency call by radio. One survivor is taken to hospital.
By 9pm: Four bodies have been recovered.
10pm: Fifth body found.
After midnight: Sixth and seventh bodies found.
7.30am Wednesday: A helicopter retrieves the sixth and seventh bodies from the banks of Mangatepopo Stream.
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 7:53 pm under