RUAPEHU TRAGEDY

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 June 1936, Page 5

RUAPEHU TRAGEDY

EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] TAUMARUNUI. June 17. At the adjourned inquest before the; Coronei- (Mr A. S. Laird) conc-ei nin.-, the death of James Alexander Gordon. solicitor, Mr D. Bayfield, manager of the Chateau, stated that a notice was posted up giving hints to mountain climbers. Deceased and party notified their intention of climbing. Chief Guide Carl Risberg recalled, said that he experimented for two days after the accident with sliding on a similar graded slope, and found that ice axes would not hold or make ; the slightest impression in the ice. ■ Even with crampons and ropes they could not hold a thirteen-stone man from sliding down. , Mr W. S. Rennie, late secretary of the Ruapehu Ski Club, in evidence, said that the Tourist Department had been repeatedly approached to have more equipment placed at the huts, and have the huts connected by telephone to the Chateau. The club had offered assistance in erecting the ’phone line, but there had been no response from the Department. \\ it- ; ness said that each member of a climbing party should ba 'equipped with au ice axe, and they should be

roped together if there was danger of sliding. A verdict that deceased was accidentally killed and died from internal injuries, shock and- exposure, was re-1 turned by the Coroner. It was con-j sidered that deceased had an attack; of syncope or fainting, rendering him ; unable io attempt to save himself. I The Coroner highly commended the’ work of A. Sandel. J. Bryan. and Guide Risberg in the recovery of the deceased’s body. _ __________. i