People taking craft on to Lake Wakatipu are being urged not to approach the Kawarau River dam at the outlet to Lake Wakatipu after a novice jet skier was sucked underwater and almost drowned yesterday.
The message from Queenstown Lakes district harbourmaster Marty Black last night followed the escape of a "shaken up" mid-30s Queenstown man, who was dragged underwater at the dam about 3.15pm.
The jet skier, who was wearing a life jacket and safety gear, discovered there was a drop under the dam at the lake outlet in Frankton, Mr Black said.
"He lost control, the jet ski touched one of the piles and tipped him off. He got recirculated under the dam."
The man held on to his machine and a Robertson St resident spotted the man.
The resident called Queenstown police, who contacted Kawarau Jet; one of the company's jet-boats picked up the man and took him ashore.
The Queenstown Coastguard was on standby but its boat could not sail through the dam because of the very low flow.
The waterlogged jet ski was later recovered by Mr Black and its owner.
Mr Black said signs at the dam warned swimmers and kayakers to be aware of the dam following a drowning there a few years ago.
"The dam is very dangerous. There's a message there.
"Don't go under or near the dam unless you know what you're doing."
