Another attempt at snow rescue

Press, 7 September 1976, Page 1

Another attempt at snow rescue

Staff reporter and Press Association Timaru Another attempt will be made at first light today to rescue a climber who has been lying on the Caroline Face of Mount Cook since 3.30 p.m. on Sundin.

Mr Rick Burn, of 3 Shearer Avenue. Christchurch, and a fellow climber, Mr W. Trengrove. of 1 Desmond Avenue. Christchurch, were resting on the ridge when a cornice parted and carried Mr Burn down an ice gulley.

Mr Trengrove, who was uninjured, alerted a search by radio from Plateau hut —where he is still sheltering. He is safe and will be picked up at the first opportunity.

Mr Burn is presumed dead after he fell 1400 ft down the east ridge of the face. He was spotted later that afternoon bv observers in a fixed-wing aircraft; and the rescue operation, using a Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopter from Wigram Air Base was mounted at first light yesterday. However, bad visibility caused it to land at Bumham and Hinds on its trip south and it was not until yesterday afternoon that

the first of three unsuccessful rescue attempts could be made. The final attempt, made at 4.35 p.m., was abandoned because of the heavy cloud in the area and the forecast for today is for more wind and rain in the area. The chief ranger at Mt Cook National Parks Board headquarters and field search controller (Mr B. W. Thomas) said last night that the situation would he assessed this morning and a rescue attempt would be made at first light. Earlier yesterday consideration was given to using a Hughes 500 commercial helicopter working in the area to attempt a rescue. This idea was abandoned as the machine was not fitted with the necessary winching gear. In addition, it was considered that the v eather in the area at the time would have made such an attempt too hazardous. The Hughes 500 jet helicopter owned by WhirlWide Helicopters, Ltd. Timaru and based at Glentanner Station, 15 miles

from Mt Cook Village, was not alerted for the aearch on Sunday night.

The managing director of Alpine Guides (Mt Cook). Ltd. (Mr G. T. N. Wills) said yesterday: ‘“When we heard of the accident this morning, and realising that it was by no means certain that Mr Burn was dead, we flew into the area.”

It was unfortunate, said Mr Thomas last night, that the Iroquois was delayed by bad weather.

“I had no knowledge of the fact that a helicopter is stationed at Glentanner on a week-end basis "But had 1 known this I would have made the same decision. I have got to consider the safety of rescue staff'as well as the recovery of the victim,” Mr Thomas said. “I am very critical of the fact that Mr Wills flew into the region this morning without my knowledge, and that he encouraged the news media — in the form of TV2 cameramen — to take photographs of Mr Bum’s body,” he said.