DEATH ON RUAPEHU.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144650, 9 April 1915, Page 6

DEATH ON RUAPEHU.

ACCIDENT ON ICE SLOPEv (Auckland Herald correspondent.) OHAKUNE, April 7. A death from exhaustion and shock occurred on Ruapehu at 7 a.m. this morning, when a schoolmaster named Rockel died from exhaustion and shock. A party, consisting of Messrs. Blyth, Tansey, and Randle, from Ohakune, Watkins—senior and junior—Downes and Mayno, from Wanganui, and Rockel, a school-teacher, from Uactihi, loft Ohakune on Thursday night and proceeded to Waimarino, where they arrived at midnight and walked eight miles in the- moonlight and camped. Next day they journed to Papakai, at tho foot of Tongariro. where camp was pitched again. Rockel showed signs of distress, but misted on going on. On Saturday tho party proceeded to the Ketotnhi bot springs. Rockel then appeared to be stronger, and did not seem to bo overtaxed by the journey back to the Waihohomi mountain hut, a distance of about II miles, which was covered on Sunday. On Monday morning, he- felt that he required a rest, and decided to stay in tho hut while tho rest of the party made the trip to and climbed Mount NgauruHoo. Ho appeared much benefited by the rest, and insisted on taking part in the home journey over tho top of Ruapehu and down the Ohakune side.

At 4 p.m. on Tuesday tho descent of the mountain was commenced. On© of tho party, Tansey. went ahead to try tho icefield to see if it were practicable to slide down, which has often been done with safety. But the ice proved too hard, and he was precipitated down the face, a distance of 1000 ft., until brought up by the rocks at the fo6t. Rockel. despite warnings, left the others and endeavoured to cross tho brad of tho icefield. He slipped, and also slid down tho, 1000 ft. slope, but fortunately missed the rocks.

Tho others proceeded slowly down tho main spur, cutting steps in tho ice, this part of the journey being particularly risky. When they reached tho bottom spur they found Tansey and Rockel suffering > from bruises and abrasions. Rockel .waa suffering from shock, but did not appear very bad. Camp was pitched just below tho snowline. Tho tent was very small, and they were compelled to lie closo together, which kept them warm, though cramped. This morning Rockel complained that he had lost the use of his legs, hut this was attributed to his cramped sleeping position. . His companions determined to assist him to where horses could bo brought in, and began to half carry him. They had proceeded, only about a chain when Rockel collapsed and died in a few minutes.

Mr. T. A. Blyth proceeded to Ohahune for assistance, and a- party has left to bring in tho body. Both Messrs. Blyth and Tansey have made the ascent of Mounts Ruapehu and Ngauruhoe many times.