FIVE MISSING TRAMPERS FOUND BY SEARCH PARTY

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28869, 14 April 1959, Page 16

FIVE MISSING TRAMPERS FOUND BY SEARCH PARTY

Hungry, cold, and tired after spending a night in the open in the bush on the slopes of Mount Oxford during a storm, five members of the Canterbury University Tramping Club were found about 8.45 a.m. yesterday, returning to Cooper’s Creek, by a search party. They had spent an almost sleepless night huddled together for warmth beneath a tree. The students are David Anderson, David May, both of 24 Ayr street, Riccarton, Les Baker, of 219 Fitzgerald avenue, Kerry Pedersen, of Jervois street. New Brighton, and Richard Shaw, of 76 Bryndwr road, Bryndwr. They suffered a few minor scratches, and were stiff and sore after lying for some hours on the ground. The five youths were members of a party of 44 from the tramping club which made a onc-day trip to the Mount Oxford area by bus on Sunday. They were within a few hundred yards of a knob called Big Ben when a count was made, and Messrs Anderson, Baker, and Pedersen were found to be missing. A few minutes earlier they had become separated from the main party, which they understood was going to Mount Oxford. They went around the knob towards Mount Oxford and when they reached a saddle they waited for the others to catch up. When no-one arrived they concluded that the party was ahead of them and pushed on. It was raining heavily at the time, and visibility was about 50 yards. They decided to have their lunch. In the meantime Messrs May and Shaw, who had some idea of where the missing members had gone, left the main group and set off after them.* They were able to follow their tracks, as they left a footprint about every 300 yards or so. They found the missing members about 1 p.m., and after having their lunch decided to make their way back to Cooper's Creek. Took Wrong Ridge The five youths set off back the way they had come, but after going some distance they took the wrong ridge. About 2.45 p.m. they reached the Ashley river, which was in flood, and decided to retrace their footsteps up the mountain.

After reaching the place where they had lunched the five youths descended southwards towards Cooper’s Creek. About 6 p.m. they were travelling through heavy bush, and as only about half an hour’s daylight remained and the visibility had deteriorated even further they decided to remain where they were until daylight. All that remained of their lunch was two biscuits, which were shared among the five. They were clad in jerseys, shorts, and parkas A strong, cold southerly' wind was blowing, and rain fell almost continuously until about 3 a.m.. when it stopped for about an hour.

At 6.45 a.m., when it was becoming light, the youths resumed their journey. After meeting the search party they were taken to “Mountain House,” at Cooper’s Creek, which is run by Mr R. J. Sou thgate, assisted by Mr H. Lilly. They were given a meal and hot tea. When the trampers were reported missing to the Christchurch police on Sunday evening the Search and Rescue Organisation was called in. At 5.45 a.m. yesterday 13 experienced trampers left the Central Police Station for Cooper’s Creek in three cars and a high four-wheel drive truck, equipped with two-way radio, which is owned by Constable Allan Burt. They met at “Mountain House,” where Constable W. Theyers, of Oxford, briefed them. Soon afterwards they were joined by 17 members of the tramping club who had remained overnight in an unoccupied cottage, “Willow Lee,” owned by Mr H. C. Urlwin. They were supplied with blankets by local farmers. They breakfasted on bacon, eggs, and. tomatoes supplied by Constable Theyers.

Youths Found Before the main party set out Sergeant M. J. Ryan, who was in charge of the police party, instructed its members to keep together. They were then taken across Cooper’s creek, which was fairly high, in the truck, and they made towards the area where the trampers disappeared. The group had travelled some distance and had just split up into three parties to search the area systematically when thq five youths were located. When the truck returned from taking the main body of searchers across Cooper’s creek it accompanied another car-load of searchers to a point about six miles up the Lees Valley road and a short distance before the Ashley bridge. The car, which was driven by Mr Derek Cook, of the New Zealand Alpine Club, had to be abandoned at Billy’s creek and the occupants transferred to the truck, as water had scoured away part of the road, and a stone groyne, held together by wire mesh, had been partly carried away. However, the road was passable for most vehicles.

The cloud level was down to about 3000 ft when the Christchurch search party arrived at Cooper’s creek after driving through heavy, intermittent rain. Shortly afterwards the cloud began to lift, and by 8 a.m. visibility was perfect, with brilliant sunshine and no wind. The search party of six which went up the Lees Valley road set off for a hut some distance up a valley where it was thought the missing trampers might be shelter-i ing. The party was in charge of Mr N. Duckworth, a civilian at-| tached to the police section of the Search and Rescue Organisation. It then planned to search a wide area and if necessary to link up with the search parties on the other side of the range of hills, i Recall of Party Some difficulty was experienced' with the radio in the police car stationed at the base at “Mountain" House.” Arrangements were made for a smoke signal to be sent up from the base if the missing' trampers were found and the search was to be abandoned. This; was done when the youths were found, but there was some doubt' whether the signal had been seen,; and Messrs Norman Hardie and Barry Smith, of the New Zealand Alpine Club, set off on foot to find the party. The youths and the searchers from the Cooper’s creek area! went back to Oxford, where they were provided with tea and refreshments on the lawn in front of the police station. The youths 1 arrived back in Christchurch 1 about 2.30 p.m. A number of the! searchers remained at Oxford un-l til the Lees Valley party returned.