CLIMBER KILLED

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1944, Page 4

CLIMBER KILLED

IN SOUTHERN ALPS By Avalanche Near Wilberforce CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 16. Caught in an avalanche at tne head of the Burnett Stream, while crossing from the Waimakariri Basin to Wilberforre Basin, in the Southern Alps, Flying Officer Bruce •Bannela. of the R.N.Z.A.F. Station at Harewood. was killed about 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday. Baniield was 23 -"ears of age. H relatives live at Rangiora. He was a member of a climbing party whicn left the Carrington Hut on Tuesday morning. The other members of the party were Messrs K. Douglas. R. M. King and I. Wilkinson, all Canterbury College The party crossed the White col, which is about 5800 feet above sea level, into the valley of Burnett Stream On the steep slopes of the White Col three of the members of the party were caught in the avalanche, leaving King at the top of the slope. Banfield. Wilkinson and Douglas were carried down about 1500 feet by a moving mass of snow. Wilkinson and Douglas struggled free, and were joined by King. The three then made a search for Banfield which proved fruitless. They found only his ice axe. The survivors then made their way down to Blenthorne station, in the Wilberforce Valley, about 16 miles miles from the scene of the accident, arriving at the station at midnight last night. This morning they communicated with the Christchurch police and the Canterbury Mountaineering Club, and a search party was organised to try to find Banfield’s body. The party will work in relay, some being camped at Glenthorne and others at Big Hill. Unless Banfield’s body is found before, the party will not return until Saturday. Banfield was married only four months ago. He was a well-known member of the Canterbury Mountaineering Club. He was an experienced mountaineer, and was considered to have an expert knowledge of snow conditions. [lt is about sixteen years sice a double tragedy occurred in the region of the Wilberforce, when two young climbers from Hokitika, Park and Morpeth, lost theii' lives].