The canyoning guide with a group of school students swept to their death in 2008 has described the moment she realised they may die.
Six students and their teacher from Elim Christian College in Auckland died in the Mangatepopo Gorge during flash flooding on 15 April 2008.
They were on a school trip at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuit Centre in Tongariro National Park.
Guide Jodie Sullivan gave evidence at an inquest in Auckland on Monday.
Ms Sullivan broke down in tears when she began to describe the moments she realised the group was in great difficulty in the gorge in Tongariro National Park. Her lawyer then took over reading her statement.
Ms Sullivan says when the group was in the gorge the sky darkened and the river became dirty and rose quickly as the group stood on a ledge.
She says she realised she was the only person who could help them and encouraged them to undertake a rescue manoeuvre in the river. Some were successful, but others were swept over a dam.
Under cross-examination Ms Sullivan said that she made most of the day's decisions on her own without the help of superiors at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre.
Weather forecast evidence
Earlier, the inquest was told the weather forecast sent to the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuit Centre on the morning the seven died in the flooded canyon was missing the word "thunderstorms".
MetService forecaster Ross Marsden told the inquest that thunderstorms were mentioned in earlier forecasts and in other severe weather warnings, but not in the forecast sent the morning of the deaths.
The centre's lawyer questioned why a correction was not issued. Mr Marsden said the next forecast contained the correct information but the centre was not signed up to receive that forecast.
Earlier, in an unusual move, the father of one victim said a prayer about justice and forgiveness ahead of the formal proceedings.
John McLean referred to the god of mountains, bush and streams, of truth and justice and of forgiveness and reconciliation. He asked for help for the families to get through a difficult week.
The first evidence was given by a detective who said the cause of death of all seven was drowning.
