What the public has to say
While many messages express sympathy for the families who lost loved ones, others question how such a tragedy could happen. Here is a selection of comments from the Fairfax NZ website Stuff, the New Zealand Herald and news.com.au:
Mike Laowry, Brisbane: I love white-water rafting and this will not deter me. However, it is another reminder that the elements are a lot more powerful than some expect.
Hadda nuff, Perth: A flash flood can occur at any place and at any time. No one is to blame. No one can see the future.
Ian McPhail, New Zealand: Yes, I am sure that there are lessons to learn here, but that does not mean that we should tell all our kids not to give things a go. Its the Kiwi way.
Marcus, Howick: Tragic, you have to wonder how this can happen. We know people that go to this school, so our thoughts are with you. I would like to know how they can be allowed to take inexperienced people down a river in a storm when there were all sorts of warnings about the weather posted.
David, Howick: The OPC [outdoor pursuits centre] trip and similar activities are vital in building and developing high-calibre young people. Managing and mitigating risk are part of what we do as parents and as leaders. My prayers are with all connected to this tragedy.
L Parish: OPC are an amazing outdoor provider and I have been taking students there for the past five years. They are incredibly safety-conscious and for such a freak accident to occur is just horrible.
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Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 at 7:53 pm under