BIG PARTY CAMPS FOR NIGHT NEAR LAKE

Grey River Argus, 30 October 1948, Page 5

BIG PARTY CAMPS FOR NIGHT NEAR LAKE

P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct. 29 The big party which set out from Ohakune to-day for the scene of the crash proceeded in lorries to Horopito, and there set out on foot from a bush camp for Lake Surprise. As supplies were dropped ahead for it, the party travelled light. It was expected that the party would reach Lake Surprise before nightfall, and would camp there tonight In its personnel there is a walkietalkie party from Waiouru camp. The Dominion Meterological Office’s weather forecast for the Western slopes of Mount Ruapehu to-mor-row is that it will be raining during the morning, but almost certainly improving later. The cloud base is almost certain to be below 6000 feet which is the altitude of the wreckage. There will be strong north-west winds. GROUND PARTY SETS OUT

After receiving Constable Beaton’s report this morning, Wing-Command-er Kean, the chief investigating officer of air accidents, flew over the scene and verified the position, which he later gave to a ground party which was organised from the district by Constables Beaton and Gardiner, and Mr Thomas Shout. The leadership of the party was assumed by SeniorSergeant Taylor, from Taumarunul, who arrived with the first of the police reinforcements. This party left Ohakune for Horopito at 2 p.m.

FOOD DROPPED Planes have been dropping food at fixed points on the 14-mile route to the summit of Mt. Ruapehu, to enable climbers to travel light. The climb is through dense bush and heavy snow. Radio communication is maintained with Ohakune. There is a party going up from the Chateau as well as the one from Ohakune.

Blazing The Trail

P.A. OHAKUNE, October 29. Two Army vehicles, specially designed for cross-country work, have been sent from Waiouru to assist the rescuers on Mt. Ruapehu over the early stages. . An advance party, consisting of Constables Gardiner and Beaton, and Messrs Shout and Kean, went up ahead of the main body, to mark a trail and to plot the best route to the scene of the crash.

Air and Ground Communications

P.A. WELLINGTON, Oct 30... The aircraft to-day, in addition to food, dropped stretchers and cameras at the scene of the crash. While the planes are in the’ air, constant wireless contact is being maintained with Karioi landing field, which is acting as the relay control point for the messages to Wellington Air Department headquarters, and it also maintains contact between the planes and the ground party.