Two Lost On Mt Aspiring

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31216, 14 November 1966, Page 1

Two Lost On Mt Aspiring

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, November 13.

Search and rescue parties are waiting for first light on Mount Aspiring to search for two men who fell 400 ft down the rugged Colours Ridge on Cascade Saddle.

The men, David Scott, of 215 Balmacewan road, Dunedin, and Charles Edward Pickering, of 6 Herbert street, Gore, were tramping with a friend, Graham St. Clair Fergusson, of 20 Preston crescent, Dunedin, when they slipped and fell down the ridge. Mr Fergusson climbed down the ridge where his companions had fallen, but because of the rugged nature of the country, was only able to get within 50 yards of his friends. He could see no movement. He then walked 10 to 15 miles to Cattle Flat station where he telephoned the Wanaka police. At 5.24 p.m. eight volunteers left Wanaka in a utility vehicle; at 6.50 a helicopter from Makarora collected three search and rescue experts from Wanaka to take them to as near the mishap as possible. Weather in the area was deteriorating late tonight and no word had been received from the advance party. Eight men left Dunedin tonight to go to the scene.

The rescuers are camped on the mountain waiting for first light. Dunedin police describe the area as “extremely rugged, with patches of snow.”