CAMP DISASTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 81, 6 April 1938, Page 12

CAMP DISASTER.

CAUSE OF TRAGEDY.

PHENOMENAL FLOODING.

j FINDING OF THE CORONER. ; i | (By Telegraph.—rross Association.) YVAIKOA. Tuesday. Tlif- inquest into the deaths of ]9 of the victims of the Kopuawhara flood disaster early on the morning of February 19 was concluded late this afternoon. The finding of the coroner, Air. V. E. Winter, was as follows: — That each of the deceased was found idoad on the shores of Kopuawhara j Stream below the Public Works Dcpart- ; ment'* No. 4 camp, Kopuawhara Valley; I that the deceased met their death bv . drowning in the stream at approximately 3.4.". a.m. on February 19. The deaths occurred by misadventure, arising directly out of the phenomenally severe flooding of the Kopuawhara Stream, which occurred suddenly during tho hours of darkness, wherein' No. 4 .amp was completely swept away and destroyed. That the evidence shows that deceased would in all probability have been rendered unconscious before death by moving boulders and logs in the stream and so would have been incapable of assisting themselves to safety.

Unprecedented Occurrence. The coroner added that from the evidence given he was satisfied that the dumping of spoil from a tunnel into the stream had nothing to do with tho disaster. "It is quite clear to me," said the coroner, "from the evidence that has been given by all witnesses that something very much out of the ordinary occurred in Kopuawhara and surrounding districts on 'the night of February 18. It is something perhaps that has never before been heard of in the history of New Zealand. "This, in my opinion, was the cause of the flooding of the Kopuawhara Stream, thereby causing the washing away of No. 4 camp, which caused the death of 21 persons who were swept away. It is something which has never been experienced before—this sudden downpour of rain which was the cause of the disaster. "I have already expressed my sympathy with the relatives. The disaster is one of the most appalling in the history of New Zealand. I had the opportunity of visiting the locality, and 1 hescene of desolation and devastation was so astonishing that it conveyed something to nie of the terrible ordeal of that night.

Story of Heroism. "The whole story of heroism could be told, not only by survivors, but by those who lost their lives. I am convinced that everyone in the camp that night is deserving of the highest praise. I take this opportunity again to express 1 sympathy with the relatives and to express the hope that the survivors will have a happy future and forget the I horrors of that night." I The coroner also paid a tribute to the police, engineers at the camps, and witi nesses for the manner in which tliey gave their evidence. Mr. L. W. Willis, counsel for the Public Works Department, also expressed sympathy with the relatives and his appreciation on behalf of the Department for the splendid co-opera-tion given by employees, officers and the police.