Wellington - A 21-year-old English woman tourist died in a whitewater rafting accident on the Kawarau River in New Zealand's scenic Otago province on Tuesday, police said.

The woman was rafting with a group of people in the Kawarau Gorge when she became trapped under rocks in the river, an officer told the Newstalk ZB radio network.

Her name was not released until relatives in Britain are informed. (dpa)