Climber Killed In Mount Cook Area

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31237, 8 December 1966, Page 1

Climber Killed In Mount Cook Area

(From Our Own Reoorteri

TIMARU, December 7.

A climber was killed and another suffered bruising and concussion on the 10,200 ft Mount Elie de Beaumont at the head of the Tasman Glacier in the Mount Cook region today.

The incident occurred at an altitude of 9000 feet while a party of four was ascending by the normal route.

The climber killed was NEIL BLUNDELL LANE, aged 19, a university student, of 11 Malcolm avenue, Christchurch.

Mr Lane and Christopher lan Timins, aged 19, of 5 Tensing place, Christchurch, who were roped together, slipped while climbing the final, dome of the mountain on the eastern side. They fell about 150 feet, and dropped over a short ice wall. The weather and other conditions at the time were good. The Mount Cook National Park Board’s Chief Ranger, Mr M. L. Burke, said Mr Timms was unable to recall what happened. ■He has a slight back injury and head injuries, and has been examined by a qualified nurse. He will remain at Park Board headquarters tonight. Mr Lane’s body and Mr Timms were flown out by helicopter. An inquest will be opened into Mr Lane’s death in the morning and his body will probably be taken to Timaru.

CALL RECEIVED Mr Burke said this evening that a radio call was received from Mr A. Vervoorn, a guide with Alpine Instruction, Ltd., at 8.55 a.m. from Tasman Saddle hut, which is at 7700 feet on a rock outcrop on the south face of Hochstetter Dome. Mr Vervoorn was climbing Mount Elie de Beaumont with another man. Radio reception was poor and it was 9.30 a.m. before it was established that a man had been killed and another slightly injured, said Mr Burke.

A search party under Mr K. Pain was flown into the area at 9.55 a.m. in a Cessna ski-equipped aircraft. The aircraft touched down on the Tasman saddle and the rescue party made its way up to the scene of the accident

Attempts were made to obtain a helicopter. Another aircraft flew from * Haast to where Graham Stewart and Company’s helicopter was operating and the machine arrived at Mount Cook at 6.45 p.m.

A second ground party of four left Park Board headquarters by air at 2 p.m., and linked up with the first party. This support group was led by Guide B. Jenkinson, of Alpine Instruction, Ltd., and three members of the Park Board staff. STRETCHER USED

At 5 p.m., the rescue party descended the mountain, carrying the injured man in a stretcher. Mr Lane’s body had been left on the mountain.

The rescuers made good

time on the descent to where the two Cessnas were standing by on the snowfield of the upper Tasman with the intention of sitting there until 8.15 p.m. when the maximum daylight period would have expired, to fly the rescuers out The helicopter left Park Board headquarters five minutes after its arrival, picked up Mr Lane’s body and then returned to the valley floor to evacuate the injured man. Mr Lane’s body was carried on one side of the aircraft and Mr Timms was strapped to the other side. The helicopter flew out to Park Board headquarters and the rescue teams reached the Cessnas in good time and returned tonight. The other members of the party of four, who spent Tuesday night in the Tasman hut are Messrs J. Jollie, of Christchurch, and B. Grout, an American, who joined the party at Park Board headquarters before leaving for the attempt on Mount Elie de Beaumont. The party entered the area three to four days ago.

Mr Burke said the rescue, achieved through the ice fall, was hazardous although conditions were helpful. He paid a tribute to those who took part ‘They did a grand job in difficult terrain. The helicopter proved its worth in simplifying the task and ensuring safety,” he said.