'Heroic' friends tried to save horse rider from river

Friends of an award-winning journalist dedicated to the outdoors tried in vain to save her after she was swept down a Wairarapa river.

Helen Bain, 38, died on Tuesday when her horse fell while they were crossing the swollen Ruamahanga River, five kilometres north of Masterton. She was one of three people to die in water accidents on Tuesday.

Ms Bain was the communications manager for Forest & Bird and a former journalist at The Dominion and The Sunday Star-Times.

Acting Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said police believed Ms Bain's horse stumbled and then rolled on her after tripping in the river.

Her riding companion saw Ms Bain clutching reeds by the side of the river and rushed to lead her own horse to the bank so she could return to help her friend.

"She turned back and [Ms Bain] had gone."

The woman and her partner searched desperately for 20 minutes before they spotted Ms Bain about 300 metres downstream.

The man had "done some pretty heroic stuff", Ms Watson said. He let the swollen river carry him down to Ms Bain, reaching her on the second attempt and dragging her to a shingle island, where he tried to resuscitate her.

Two policemen also swam to the island but could not revive her.

Ms Bain's friends had done everything they could but were distraught they could not save her, Ms Watson said. "It's pretty horrible. The police officers that dealt with it are also pretty upset."

Ms Bain was secretary of the Wairarapa Endurance and Competitive Trail Riding Club and had ridden horses for years.

Club president Shane Dougan said she was a great horsewoman and the accident was tragic. "She's just a lovely bubbly girl. She'll be sorely missed."

Forest & Bird general manager Mike Britton praised Ms Bain's professionalism and passion for her job. "A large part of our success in the last three years is due to her ability to get a story across ... she's achieved so much for us."

Richard Long, former editor of The Dominion, said Ms Bain was a natural journalist and "great fun" to work with. "She had an ability with words and ... an amazing brain to deal with complex subjects. Everyone enjoyed having her round the place."

During her time as a journalist she won three Qantas Media Awards, as well as the Electoral Commission's Wallace Award in 1999.

Jackie Maynard Wiki, 55, also died on Tuesday trying to save two grandchildren from drowning at Ninety Mile Beach.

His brother, Meinata Wiki, said Mr Wiki would not have thought about his own safety. "He just jumped in. Any one of us would jump in for our mokopuna, regardless of your own health."

The two children were caught in a rip while they played near where their family was fishing. Mr Wiki stood underwater and held his grandson above his head until someone else could reach the boy.

Meinata Wiki said the area where his brother was fishing was known for dangerous swells.

A third person, 52-year-old Feilding farmer Gerard Kerrigan, drowned at Lake Taupo when he fell backward into the water while teaching his son to windsurf. Police believe he may have collapsed.

- © Fairfax NZ News