A Turangi indoor rock climbing company has been fined $35,000 and ordered to pay $15,000 in reparation after an accident which left a 15-year-old with serious injuries.
The teenager was being assisted by a 14-year-old friend while climbing as part of a group a year ago, and fell 15 metres. He broke his right tibia and heel bone which required extensive surgery.
The company, Vertical Assualt Limited, was sentenced on Monday in the Taupo District Court on charges brought by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.
The ministry's chief investigations inspector, Keith Stewart, says the briefing given to the climbing group by staff was inadequate and the company did not have a policy to ensure proper staff to climber ratios.
