A rafting guide is critical of a group entering the water the day Christchurch teacher Samuel Zarifeh died on a West Coast river

Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame has ruled the 27-year-old's death could've been prevented when the raft flipped over on the Landsborough River three years ago - almost to the day.

Grant South gave evidence that it was a mistake for be on the river without a guide, as it was in flood.

Other experts found they had reasonable experience.

Cunninghame has ruled the fact the river was in flood, and that the group focussed on retrieving the raft, contributed to Samuel Zarifeh's death..