Man killed in avalanche

Press, 12 September 1987, Page 2

Man killed in avalanche

By

GLENIS CARROLL

A Christchurch man died when he was swept away by an avalanche while the Classen Saddle in Mount Cook National Park on Thursday. He was

Trevor William Marsh, aged 25, an R.N.Z.A.F. instructor, of Dix Street, Christchurch.

Mr Marsh had been skiing just below the Classen Saddle with his brother, Lendon, aged 28, and Allan U’Ren, aged 24, both of Wanaka. The accident occurred between 2 p.m.'and 2.30 p.m.

The three men, who were all experienced skiers, were spread out down the slope in the Murchison Valley when the avalanche began. Mr Marsh was swept over a 65m cliff and carried a further 65 metres down a steep gully into a deep hole in the

ice. The men were wearing bleepers, that emit an electronic signal which can be traced and, with the help of another party ski-ing in the area, Lendon Marsh and Mr U’Ren were able to find where Mr Marsh was.

The group lowered Lendon Marsh into the hole to about 40 metres. He then unclipped himself and climbed down to where his brother was buried.

He dug his brother out of the snow and found he was dead.

The group returned to the Murchison Hut and Informed park officials about 4.30 p.m. Heavy snow yesterday prevented any attempt to recover Mr Marsh’s body.