A boat flips at the New Zealand Jetsprint Championship in Wairarapa Photo: Jeremy Ward
An eyewitness to a jetboat crash says the boat flipped off course this morning and tumbled across grass.
Two people were injured during the national jetsprint championship near Featherston before 11 am.
The NZ Jetsprint Association confirmed the crash happened during the event at Tauherenikau Racecourse.
The event sees boats race for the fastest time around a purpose-built track made up of islands. Six rounds will be contested throughout the country.
Two people were transported to Wairarapa Hospital following the collision Photo: Jeremy Ward
NZ Jetsprint Association spokesperson Richard Buckley said the crash happened in a second qualifying run.
"To be honest, he came round the bottom end, went in too deep, clipped a tyre that is for the exit channel, which put him into a barrel roll.
"That barrell roll sent him across the grass and into the safety fence at the far side."
A Wellington Free Ambulance spokesperson said crews took two people to Wairarapa Hospital in a moderate condition.
The event was being held at Tauherenikau Racecourse. Photo: Jeremy Ward
Buckley was one of the first on the scene and said the two injured were "a bit banged up, but they're okay".
He said rescue crews reached the boat in seconds.
"All the safety equipment did it's job and they may not have walked away, but they are both walking now and doing well."
He said each event had rescue crews positioned around the track, as well as onsite paramedics and ambulances on call.
"All motorsport is dangerous to a level, but I think we have a really good safety record."
The top boats can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in about 1.6 seconds and the superboats hit speeds of 140-150 km/h on an 150-metre long track, Buckley said.
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