CLIMBER KILLED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 47, 25 February 1929, Page 9

CLIMBER KILLED.

FATALITY ON MT. EGMONT.

STRUCK BY FALLING BOULDER

HEROIC ATTEMPTS AT RESUE

(By Telegraph.— Special to " Star.")

STRATFORD, this day

The grim toll of life at Mount Egmont was added at 3.45 a.m. yesterday when a young man, Ronald Moss, aged 22, son of Mr. A. E. Moss, borough electrical engineer, met a tragic death. He was struck on the head by a boulder, which crashed down the mountain side, inflicting fearful injuries. Death was instantaneous.

Ronald Moss, with four companions, left the Stratford Mountain House at midnight with the intention of climbing to the top of the mountain. The weather was fine, but a strong wind was blowing. The journey was made by way of Curtis ridge, which, though often used, is not the usual route.

The accident happened at a height of 7000 ft, and about 1000 ft below the summit. At this time of year a certain degree of danger exists from falling rocks, which are released through melting snow, and the party when making the journey in the darkness could hear rocks crashing down the mountain side. Two of the deceased's companions were struck by small stones, one on the leg and the other on the body, but no injuries were sustained. A few minutes later the fatality happened with tragic suddenness, a boulder bounding down from crag to crag, striking the deceased and bounding off the ledge down the ravine. The stone was not seen until it was almost on the climbers. The others dodged, but Moss was unable to get clear, and was struck on the side of the head, being thrown from the track and carried down nearly 100 ft.

A member of the party, G. Irving, set out for the Stratford Mountain House immediately, and reached there in an hour after picking his way ov»?r difficult and dangerous country with the aid of a hand torch. Dr. Gordon and a relief party set off from town, while Mr. Haldane, manager of the Mountain House, with helpers, left immediateiv for the scene.

The doctor and police were on the mountain side within an hour. As the rescue party all proceeded to the higher levels they wer# menaced by showers of boulders, which came hurtling down the mountain side. Two young men, Fookes and Grubb, got ahead of the relief party and carried the body down a distance of over 200 yards. It was realised that Moss was beyond human aid, and all that could be done was to bring the body down. It was later removed to the morgue.

The journey down the mountain was difficult owing to the precipitous nature of the tracks, and all were in danger from crashing rocks. The heroism of those concerned is very highly spoken of.

Ronald Moss was well conversant with the mountain, and he was an experienced climber, having made the ascent to the summit on several occasions. He was a prominent member of the Mountain Club, and was on the staff of the Bank of New Zealand.

INQUEST ADJOURNED.

An inquest was held to-day. and adjourned after some evidence* had been I given. Mr. R. V. Kay, a member of the party, said they were going over scoria and had almost reached the snowline when they heard stones coming down. This was attributed to loose snow and a high wind. The party was standing still, and the deceased had his ice axe stuck in the ground to steady him, when a rock suddenly came down and carried Moss over the side of the slope. The party moved down the stones, witness said, Irving going ahead. He later called out: "I'll have to break it to you. Moss is dead." The body was moved to a place out of range of the slipping rocks, and Irving set out for the mountain house. The party sheltered by the body for three hours, falling rocks coming down all the time. Later, fearing for Irving"* safety, they went towards the lower slopes and met the rescue party coming up the mountain.