One person has died and another has been injured following a jetboat crash north of Wanaka this afternoon during the Otago Rivers Race.
The driver died of their injuries at the scene, while another was injured after the jet boat left the water and catapulted over 20 metres up a steep riverbank on the Clutha River at 1.30pm, St John told 1 NEWS.
The incident occurred 2km downstream from the Albert Town Bridge, at 1.30pm, the Queenstown Harbourmaster said.
The other person was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital with moderate injuries.
Today was the second day of the race. Yesterday saw 20 boats compete on the Matukituki River, but the course had to be changed to the Clutha River due to high winds altering conditions on Lake Wanaka.
In a statement, the New Zealand Jet Boat River Racing Association told 1 NEWS, "This is a very difficult time. We are a very close-knit community and are still coming to terms with what's happened here today".
Police say the area where the incident occurred is very difficult to access, and it will take some time to find out the cause of the crash.
It comes after nine people were injured in a jet boat crash in Shotover River, near Queenstown, yesterday.
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