A Christchurch man today prompted a two-hour rescue in the Kawarau River near Queenstown after he failed to successfully navigate a rapid in his jet boat.
Constable Terry Wood of Queenstown police said emergency services were alerted by a passing cyclist.
Due to the windy conditions, a helicopter was unable to land and rapids were deemed "too big'' for a commercial boat to be sent,
Const Wood and a medic climbed down the bank and led the man to safety.
"The guy wouldn't have known what was above him - there was a vertical face above him.''
