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Catherine Peters - Source: ONE News -
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A man has been charged with manslaughter following the death of a teenager during a bridge swing over the Manawatu Gorge earlier this month.
The 46-year-old Palmerston North man appeared in court on Wednesday afternoon and was bailed.
Eighteen-year-old Catherine Peters, a student at Massey University, died when she fell over 20 metres on to a riverbed. She had been one of a group of students from the Massey University Alpine Club taking part in the introductory course at the Ballance Bridge on the Woodville side of the Manawatu Gorge
She was two weeks into her veterinary sciences degree at the university.
Following her death the police and Department of Labour launched independent investigations to establish why she fell and to report to the coroner.
As part of those investigations police seized equipment that was being used on the day and carried out a thorough examination of the scene. They have since consulted with experts and taken detailed statements from over 30 witnesses.
"The case is now sub judice so the detail of our investigative findings will not be disclosed. However I am prepared to say that the manslaughter charge results from our investigation into safety procedures," Detective Sergeant Allan Mullacrane says.
A contractor was running the event on that fatal weekend. It has
ceased operations in the meantime.
The Mountain Safety Council, which oversees land based outdoor
activities believes such a serious charge is almost unprecedented
and it's going to review proceedures.
The Labour Department is conducting its own investigation. It says it's ongoing and wouldn't comment on the arrest.
The charged man will reappear in the Palmerston North District Court next week.
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