Two men must pay over seven thousand dollars in fines after a water skiing accident that injured several people

The men were water skiing on Lake Hood hear Ashburton in November 2019.

The tow boat driver did a U-trn at speed, striking three women riding a sea biscuit.

One was dragged underneath the jet boat.

Maritime New Zealand says the jet boat's skipper frequently turned around to communicate with his water skier, instead of looking where he was going.

It says this case sends a strong message that there must always be a spotter on boats towing anyone over five knots.