ARTHUR’S PASS TRAGEDY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 August 1933, Page 5

ARTHUR’S PASS TRAGEDY

CORONER’S ADVICE TO MOUNTAINEERING PARTIES (By Telegraph—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The Coroner, Mr Mosley, this morning delivered his verdict on the death of Samuel Edgar Russell, Training College student, who was lulled on Avalanche Peak on 30th July, holding that death was due to suffocation and shock caused by his being accidentally overwhelmed in a snow slide. In a rider Mr Mosley said:— “The evidence satisfies me that a mountaineering party should always be limited as to numbers, and the individuals therein be definitely ascertained before starting. Parties where possible should place themselves under the direction of an experienced mountaineci, and parties are recommended to keep to the ridges as far as possible. ’ The following was added to the ver-(jict-—“To some people the spirit of adventure calls very loudly, and mountaineering with its difficulties and dangers proves an irresistible attraction, and mountaineering clubs should be encouraged so that people who so desire may gradually be educated in mountaineering and taught to appreciate and avoid danger.”