I was with a group of friends from Amberley, North Canterbury on a weekend away. We had been exploring the area with a local and on our final river crossing there was a log across the track next to the river. As we were attempting to pass around this log our UTV slipped into the river and flipped over in a 3 1/2m deep hole.
I remember thinking…
“This is it, this is how I’m going to die”
I couldn’t release the 5 point harness as this was jammed.
The 12 friends tried in vain the get me out.
The buggy behind us fell in behind our buggy and didn’t realise our buggy was underwater. They too were in up to their necks.
The buggy’s in front realised something was wrong when no one was following and returned to find the accident scene. The rescuers who bravely jumped into the swift water couldn’t get me out. They’d tried for 15 mins.
The driver of the second submerged buggy had found a knife on a post on the trip so once the UTV was pulled over with another UTV who came back they then managed to get my body up enough to cut the seatbelt and drag me to shore. 20 minutes after rolling My husband set off the PLB we had in our buggy and proceeded to administer CPR.
The helicopter came in 15 mins from Greymouth and took me to Greymouth Hospital.
I don’t remember anything after rolling but have been told many stories from the 12 friends who were witnesses. It’s very confronting to hear they brought you back after so long underwater. They say the cold river a quick thinking of the group saved my life.
I went back to visit ROA in Greymouth a month later to give them a donation along with friends. I saw the helicopter as I didn’t remember it. I spoke with the medic onboard and felt fortunate to be alive.
A huge thankyou to the Rescue Helicopter Crew in the immediate hour after the accident! Absolute legends!
