Climber survives fall from peak

Press, 20 September 1985, Page 1

Climber survives fall from peak

PA Timaru A Dunedin climber yesterday survived a fall of about 400 metres into a gully while climbing Mount Brodrick, in the Mount Cook National Part Graham Love, aged about 31, is in the Timaru Hospital with a suspected broken arm and head and back injuries. Mr Love was ascending the 2600 m Brodrick Peak when a cornice (overhanging hardened snow ledge) broke away from under his foot and he fell into the gully below, said Constable Bill Apes, of Lake Tekapo

last evening. Mr Love was flown by helicopter out of the snowcovered valley, where he had lain for about four hours, and was transferred from the Mount Cook village to Timaru Hospital, by ambulance, a journey of 200 kilometres. Mr Love and his companion Mr Trevor David Carlyle, of Port Chalmers, had been in the park for several days. Constable Apes said the accident occurred about 3.30 p.m. After climbing down to make Mr Love comfortable, Mr Carlyle skied about 2km

to the Murchison Hut to radio for help. The alarm had already been raised by a guide in the area who had seen the lone climber, Mr Carlyle, climbing down into the gully. She had noticed a dot in the snow and assuming there had been ah accident, raised the alarm. Park headquarters were alerted at 5.55 p.m. and a helicopter from Lake Tekapo, flown by Mr Gavin Craig, flew to the park. It was almost dark by the time the helicopter reached him. The helicopter arrived back at the Mount Cook headquarters at 8 p.m.