A New Zealand woman was not involved in a sex romp when she severed her hand on a yacht in Croatia, a Christchurch relative says.

Amy Ramage, 28, was reportedly on a two-week yachting holiday when she struck up a romance with an English tourist. It has been claimed Ramage severed her hand on the jagged edge of a hand basin after it broke while the pair was having sex.

A female family member, from Islington, said Ramage "would never put herself in that sort of a predicament". "She's a good Christian girl. I've known her all her life and she has strong principles ... I just can't believe it. It doesn't sound like Amy at all."

Croatian authorities were still searching for the Englishman, who reportedly fled after the accident, the woman said.

Ramage was rushed to hospital, where surgeons spent more than six hours working to re-attach her hand.

"The news and the headlines have been very upsetting and even though I'm not in contact with Amy's mother, I still feel very sorry for her," the woman said.

"Amy hasn't really spoken to anyone yet and she is the only person I would believe. I really think they have just got it all wrong."

Ramage's father, Reuben, and brother, Ben, had gone to Croatia to be with Amy.

"Hopefully, we can get to the bottom of what happened and find out the truth when Reuben comes back home," she said.

Ramage would most probably see a plastic surgeon in Britain. She has been living in London for the past two years. The family member said she would most likely stay there.

Ramage is a graphic designer.

Bojan Stanbuk, who operated on Ramage's hand, told a newspaper she faced months of rehabilitation.