ALPINE TRAGEDY

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1933, Page 6

ALPINE TRAGEDY

DEATH OF A STUDENT EVIDENCE AT INQUEST. ACTION BY CORONER. (Per Press Association.—Copyright.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. In order to prepare a rider in addition to his verdict, the coroner, Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., who yesterday conducted an inquest into the death of Mr Samuel Edgar Bussell, the Training College student who perished in a snowslide at Avalanche Peak, Arthur Pass, on July 30, adjourned the inquest after hearing evidence. “This is a matter of some importance from the public point of view,” said the coroner, “and I think, allhough it is perfectly evident what was the cause of death, that it is my duty to go into the evidence very carefully and bring in a rider which may have the effect of causing the public to be a little careful.” Evidence was given by John Dobree Pascoe, William Andrew, Douglas Brough, and Andrew Anderson, all experienced climbers and members of the party on July 30. All stated that they had made several previous ascents of Avalanche Peak, and all considered it an easy climb.' Witnesses agreed that it was desirable to have some man in charge ?bf a climbing party, but on this day the party consisted of members of three clubs and some outside excursionists. No one was definitely in charge.

Involved In Snowslide. When the climbers began the ascent the party consisted of about 40. The numbers were reduced gradually until, at the end of the bush line, when the climbers left their packs and donned warm clothing, because of the stormy condition, the party was greatly reduced. The evidence was that the party was counted and numbered 18 when the bush line was left, but at this point Anderson joined the party. The snowslide involved all of them. All were carried down distances up to 150 yards, and some lost equipment. After hurried assistance had been given to climbers buried, some shoulder deep, in the snow, the climbers searched for lost ice axes and other equipment. In the meanwhile the party was again counted and numbered 18. The disappearance of Mr Eussell was not discovered until the party was returning to Christchurch on the train.

Alf Brustad, formerly a guide at Mt. Cook, who was in charge of the party which found the body, said the place at which the slide occurred was dangerous. In reply to the coroner, witness said there should be a limit to the i number in each party climbing, and a big party should be split up into several small groups, each in charge of an experienced leader. He said that snow conditions in New Zealand mountains' {were often dangerous in stormy feather and climbing 'p ar ti es should, {wherever possible, make ascents on ridges. Thus they would avoid the risks of snowslides, which were frequent in spring. ■