HEROISM ON MOUNTAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20650, 23 August 1930, Page 10

HEROISM ON MOUNTAIN.

RECENT EGMONT TRAGEDY. RESCUER perishes in snow. COMPANION'S GRAPHIC STORY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NEW PLYMOUTH. Friday. The heroism of Mr. Lance Gibson, who died on the slopes of Mount Egmont on tho night of August 4, while assisting in tho rescue of an injured climber, was commented upon by tho coroner, Mr. W. L. Kennedy, at the inquest at Stratford today. A verdict was returned that death was' duo to heart failure following cold and exposure experienced while deceased was taking part in rescue work on Mount

Egmont. "It is characteristic of youth, especially British youth, to take risks," said the coroner. "I hope the day is far distant when they will cease to do so. Nevertheless, there is need for precaution when climbing a mountain like Egmont, and I am glad to see that a combined effort is being made to make climbing more safe. T would also liko to recall the splendid act of heroism and self-sacrifice of Mr. Gibson, who went out to help another, all too inadequately prepared, and after a strenuous day on the mountain. A Terrible Night. The hardships endured by the party on the terrible night on the mountain were related by Andrew Ilaldanc, caretaker of Stratford Mountain House. He said that about' 3 p.m. on the Sunday, he left the house with Mr. Taggart to give assistance to Mr. Hall, who had been injured. They carried a stretcher and blankets, and had then no idea how long they would be out.

On their way they met Gibson, who immediately volunteered to go with them. He had been out near the ski-ing ground during the day. He was the very man witness would have chosen to help him, being an experienced climber. At Manganui Gorge Gibson appeared to be going very slowly, and to be tiring. They met the party bringing Hall to Stratford House and advised them to turn back to North Egmorit. Witness had decided to go on ahead for assistance. Gibson had said he would come with him and Taggart. It \vas just becoming dark when they left the party with Hall. Half an hour afterwards Gibson was quite exhausted and did not seem to realise what ho was doing. Party Makes for Shelter. When they found that Gibson could get no further, they made for the bush to find shelter. They reached some scrub and spent the night there. They could not get down to the bush proper owing to tho condition of deceased. Gibson was very well clad, better than any of the others, excepting that he had shorts

During the night they huddled together. They tried to keep Gibson on his feet, which might have helped, but lie was too weak. The snow was driving on to their, all night, but Gibson slept for a while. At 6 a.m. they left the shelter in heavy rain, the other two assisting Gibson. However, he lasted for only a few yards, and at 6.15 a.m. he died. For some time prior to this he had been too weak to say anything. All he seemed to want to do was sleep.

It was nearly 11 o'clock on Monday when witness and Taggart reached North Egmont. As the result of exposure both of them were frostbitten about the Lands and feet. Considering the condition which they were in during the night there was no hope of saving Gibson's life by carrying him.