Coroner rules 10-year-old girl's drowning in Fiordland was accidental

Wednesday 9 July 2025 · 6 outlets · 3 reports · updated Wed 9 Jul 2025, 8:06am

In this story Mary-Anne Borrowdale

A coroner has ruled that 10-year-old Tegan Chen died after accidentally slipping into Marian Creek in Fiordland National Park in January 2024. The New South Wales tourist was swept downstream by the fast-flowing water. Following the incident, the Department of Conservation implemented safety upgrades to the walking track.

How they headlined it

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1. NZ HeraldWed 9 Jul 2025, 5:00am

   Changes to track where 10-year-old Tegan Chen drowned after slipping into Fiordland’s Marian Creek (opens in new tab)

2. 1News via RNZWed 9 Jul 2025, 6:45am

   'Very active and happy' girl died in accidental Fiordland drowning - coroner (opens in new tab)

3. Waikato Times via RNZWed 9 Jul 2025, 8:06am

   'Very active and happy' girl died in accidental Fiordland drowning, coroner says (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Post (opens in new tab), The Press (opens in new tab), RNZ (opens in new tab)