Charges continue over quad bike death
WorkSafe has won the right to continue prosecuting a collapsed adventure tourism company over a quad bike death.
WorkSafe says Riverland Adventures Limited did not take all practical steps to protect 38-year-old Melbourne woman Chelsey Callaghan, who died on a tour in October 2012.
Ms Callaghan lost control of the quad bike in Waikato, suffered fatal head injuries and never regained consciousness.
Riverland argued the charges should be dropped as the company is in liquidation.
Percy Kukatai, the director of the company, is in financial difficulty and doesn't have time to assist with the company's defence, the company's lawyer said.
But in an oral judgment at the High Court at Auckland, Justice Susan Thomas said the allegations were serious and in the public interest.
Riverland's defence costs were being met by insurance.
"There is good reason to proceed with the charge," she said.
The maximum penalty for the charge under the Health and Safety in Employment Act is $250,000.
The defended hearing is set down for July 8.
Manslaughter charges against Mr Kukatai were dropped in November last year as there was insufficient evidence of negligence.
