File photo. Photo: Supplied
Maritime New Zealand is investigating how four people were injured on a jet boat near Queenstown.
The company, Skippers Canyon Jet, have not explained how the passengers were injured while on a boat trip.
Two St John rescue helicopters were called to Skippers Canyon just after 5pm on Tuesday.
St John said it treated four people - two in moderate condition and two with minor injuries.
Jet-boat company Skippers Canyon Jet said seven remaining passengers were taken to Lakes District Hospital in Queenstown for assessment, and the jet-boat driver was uninjured.
The company has not provided any details of what happened, however, Maritime NZ had been alerted.
Maritime NZ confirmed on Wednesday an investigation had begun.
"Maritime NZ is starting an investigation into an incident involving a commercial jet boat at Skippers Canyon, near Queenstown," a statement from the maritime safety watchdog said.
"The incident occurred on 25 February. Four people were injured as a result. On 26 February, a Maritime NZ investigator started work to understand what occurred. This involves talking to the operator, reviewing information relating to the vessel, talking to the people involved and seeking other information as required.
"This process can take up to several months."
Maritime NZ said it would not comment further while the investigation was ongoing.
Skippers Canyon Jet had declined to be interviewed by RNZ.
In a statement last night they confirmed people were injured in an "incident" about 5pm yesterday.
"Maritime New Zealand and the police were notified of the incident and the company has launched its own internal investigation. The cause of the incident is unknown and no further details are available at this time," the statement said.
In 2019, nine people were injured, including one passenger who broke their leg after being partially thrown overboard, when a Skippers Canyon Jet boat crashed into a rock face when its steering failed.
The operator of the jet boat was charged over the incident.
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