FATAL ACCIDENT ON MOUNTAIN

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26639, 26 January 1952, Page 2

FATAL ACCIDENT ON MOUNTAIN

CORONER’S VERDICT AT INQUEST

"I cannot see how We can learn any particular lesson from this case to safeguard against similar accidents, because the evidence does not give a complete picture of what happened,’ said Charles Gordon Buchanan, a company manager and a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club and the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, of 22 years' climbing experience, who was called by the Court yesterday as-an expert witness at the inquest into the death of Terence O’Reilly, aged 21, of 19 Brenchley avenue, Christchurch, who fell over a elifl on Mount Carrington on January 4. Trie Coroner (Mr Reymond Ferner) returned a verdict that the cause of death was cardio respiratory failure associated with a fracture of the skull and cerebral injuries sustained when O’Reilly accidentally fell on tfie slopes of Mount Carrington. Buchanan said that two was a satisfactory number for climbing but at least three was a better number. The fact that there were just two at the time was not the cause of the accident. The normal procedure was for climbers to rope when it was thought the climb was becoming' difficult. Some error of judgment might have been made in O’Reilly and nis companion unroping at the stage of the descent stated. It was more difficult to descend a mountain than ascend. The equipment of O’Reilly and his companion appeared to have been adequate. The rope was .more of a psychological link in a climbing party as well as being a safety influence. The evidence of James Lannigan, aged 22, the companion of O'Reilly, was read by the Coroner. Thia gave details of their equipment and of their beginning to climb Mount Carrington. When a blizzard began they decided to return. They were roped together but unroped on the lower slopes. They were crossing rock and when some came loose witness, who was lower down, moved aheafi. He heard a yell, turned round and saw O’Reilly in mid-air. He had fallen over a bluff and his body landed on a ledge about 50 feet above the Waimakarfri river. He thought O’Reilly might have got hold of a piece of rotten rock and over-balanced. He would then not be able to save himself. Constable F. Flanagan read the evidence to have been given by Constable W. J. McNally, of Otira. This described the recovery of the body and said that O’Reilly and his companion were properly equipped for mountaineering. Something extraordinary must nave happened for the accident to .have occurred. Mr E. T. Layburn. for the parents of O’Reilly, expressed their appreciation of the work of Constable McNally, the ranger at Arthurs Pass, the police at Christchurch, and the members of the tramping clubs who had given assistance at the time. Sergeant R. F. Leith proceedings for the police.