Coroner Blames Maritime NZ, Police for Delay in Vivienne Pincott's River Rafting Death Report

Coroner Blames Delays in Vivienne Pincott's Death Report

A coroner has identified that delays in releasing the report into the death of Vivienne Pincott were primarily due to errors made by Maritime New Zealand and the Police.

The incident occurred during a white water rafting activity near Rotorua in 2020, where Vivienne Pincott was fatally injured. The coroner's report emphasized the need for proper safety measures, such as wearing lifejackets and helmets, but noted that these can't always prevent fatal outcomes in such inherently dangerous activities.

Delays in the report were caused by a combination of factors, including an administrative error at Maritime New Zealand and the Police's delayed response to requests for information. This resulted in a significant delay in the final findings being released, adding to the distress of Pincott's family.

The coroner also highlighted that white-water rafting remains a risky activity despite safety protocols, as seen in this tragic case. The report underscored the importance of thorough investigations and timely information-sharing between agencies to prevent similar delays in future cases.

Featured Image: A white water raft goes over Tutea Falls on the Kaituna River, where Vivienne Pincott's accident occurred.