RUAPEHU TRAGEDY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 June 1936, Page 5

RUAPEHU TRAGEDY.

CONCLUSION OP INQUEST. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) TAUMARUNUI, Last Night. At the adjourned inquest before the coroner, Mr A. S. Laird, concerning the death of James Alexander Gordon, solicitor, on Mount Ruapehu, D. Bayfield, manager of the Chateau Tongariro, stated that a notice posted up gave hints -to mountain climbers. Deceased and his party gave notice of their intention of climbing. Chief Guide Carl Risberg, recalled, said that ho experimented 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 a rope they could not hold a 13-stone man from sliding down. W, S. Rennies, late secretary of the Ruapehu .Ski Clpb, said that the Tourist Department had repeatedly been approached to have more equipment at the huts and have the huts connected by telephone to the Chateau. The club offered assistance to erect a telephone line, but there had been no response from the department. The Avitnoss said that each member of a climbing parly should be equipped Avith an ice axe. and all the members should be roped together if there avus danger of sliding. The verdict Avas that deceased A\ r as accidentally killed, and died from internal injuries, shock and exposure. The coroner said he considered that the deceased had an attack of syncope nr fainting, rendering him unable to attempt to save himself. The coroner highly- commended the Avork of Messrs A. Sandel, J. Bryan and Guide Risborg .in the recovery of the deceased’s body.