The coroner’s findings into the death of two university students in the Makarora River in 2020 have highlighted the dangers of river crossings while tramping. 

The NZ Mountain Safety Council (MSC) provided an independent expert report for the coroner that identified a combination of factors that could have caused the deaths of Kevin Lee and Ashwini Rasiwala.

The report also included recommendations on preventing future river crossing fatalities. 

Lee, 22, and his flatmate Rasiwala, 20, had been planning to tramp the advanced 58 kilometre Gillespie Pass Circuit in Mt Aspiring National Park. However, the two University of Otago students (from New Zealand and France respectively) did not leave clear trip intentions with anyone prior to setting off.

On February 7, 2020 a tramping party found Rasiwala’s body near the confluence of the Young and Makarora Rivers. Lee’s body was found the following day, just five metres downstream from Rasiwala.  

Coroner Alexander Ho found that both Rasiwala and Lee drowned during an attempted crossing of the Makarora River on the morning of February 6.  

In the days leading up to February 6, the area had received approximately 300mm of rainfall over a 48-hour period. The Makarora River was flowing at a higher-than-normal rate on the morning of February 6, despite no rain having fallen in the past 24 hours. 

The MSC report states the river would have been discoloured, moving faster than normal walking pace, and the riverbed would not have been visible – all signs that the river was in flood and not safe to cross.     

MSC considered a combination of factors that led to the fatalities including the river warning information on Department of Conservation (DOC) signage at the river, carpark, and website; the pair’s lack of river crossing and overall tramping experience, the impact of heuristics known as ‘mental shortcuts' which influence decision making, and the flooded state of the river at the time of the attempted crossing.  

Coroner Alexander Ho recently concluded that 32-year-old Stephanie Simpson of Wānaka (formerly the UK) died accidentally from drowning - also in February 2020.

Read more: Coroner makes recommendations following tramper’s death

A DOC investigation following Stephanie’s death also identified problems with DOC signage and information.

In his latest report, the coroner endorsed the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s recommendations for the purpose of preventing future river crossing deaths. 

River crossings are the second highest cause of tramper fatalities in New Zealand. Since 2007, there have been 21 river crossing fatalities. Of these, 14 were related to tramping, six were hunters and one was related to trail running. 

MSC recommended all hikers and trampers learn the following and be prepared for any planned or unexpected river crossings: 

• Learn how to assess whether a river is safe to cross and how to cross safely. Videos, guides and eLearning courses are freely available on MSC’s website.
• When encountering an unbridged river, stop and assess whether it is safe to cross. Signs that a river is unsafe include: water moving faster than normal walking pace; discoloured, cloudy or surging water; visible debris in the river such as tree branches; and the sound of rolling boulders on the riverbed.  
• Carry a form of emergency shelter such as a tent or tarpaulin so that if a river is assessed as unsafe to cross there is no pressure to cross to get to a hut for shelter.  
• Be prepared to turn back or change route to avoid the need to cross a dangerous river.  
• Those intending to cross rivers as part of their tramp should ensure they have reviewed the above guidance and that they are confident in implementing it. 

Due to the recent closure of the DOC Blue Pools bridge impacting walking access to the Gillespie Pass Circuit track, MSC encourages people to take the Wilkin River Jet boat rather than crossing the Makarora River.  

The MSC has also prepared a Gillespie Pass video which provides more information on how to plan and prepare for the track.

PHOTO: Michal Klajban