Climber returns after rescue

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33433, 15 January 1974, Page 2

Climber returns after rescue

(From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, January 14. Mr Eric John Feasy, aged 44, of New South Wales, who was injured when he was struck by falling ice on Mount Low on Sunday, was ‘‘comfortable and satisfactory” in Timaru Hospital today. He has a fractured left arm, minor cuts and bruising, and concussion.

Mr Feasy, who was roped to his companion, Mr C. Abbott, of Victoria, was held on the rope after he had tumbled 150 ft down the western side of the mountain. He was rescued by helicopter after Mr Abbott had notified park headquarters of the accident by radio from the Empress hut. Mr Abbott was picked up near the hut by the helicopter and taken to Mount Low, where he assisted in the rescue of Mr Feasy. In the southerly conditions the rescue was "touch and go.” Mr Abbott spent the night on Mount Low (9653 ft which is about three-quarters of a mile north-east of La Perouse, in the Navigator Range of the Main Divide. This morning, he made his own way down to the Empress Hut (8300 ft by way of Mount Jellicoe (9400 ft a mountain common to Mount Cook and Westland National Parks.

The senior ranger at park headquarters (Mr C. S. Irwin) said Mr Abbott’s solo descent to Empress Hut today was a creditable achievement, as it. was a “dangerous place” at any time. He added that the R.N.Z.A.F. helicopter, which remained at Mount. Cook overnight and returned < to Wigram this afternoon, could not have lifted Mr Abbott from Mount Low today be-

. cause of turbulence. The weather was fine, but there Was a south-west wind.