School teacher dies after raft flips

A man died after the raft he was on overturned on Saturday evening.

He was 27-year-old Christchurch Boys' High teacher Samuel Jacob Zarifeh.

Mr Zarifeh was on a private rafting trip with a group of teachers when the tragic accident occured, around 6pm on the Landsborough River. 

Christchurch Boys' principal Nic Hill says Mr Zarifeh was instrumental to the school's success.

"He loved the kids and he was equally loved by them. He was an innovative, creative, inspiring teacher,

"He had two years on the staff, and given his impact on the boys, it's actually hard to believe he was only here for two years."

Mr Zarifeh was reported missing, and his body recovered later by police about 45km downstream.

Support is being offered to the Christchurch Boys' High community following the accident. 

Newshub.