Better Facilities For Mountain Accidents Considered Necessary

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1950, Page 7

Better Facilities For Mountain Accidents Considered Necessary

RAETIHI, Last Night (O.C.).—Stating, at the annual meeting of the Tongariro National Park Board that present facilities for the handling of accident cases at Ruapehu were much below requirements, Mr. R. Syme, Ski Council representative on the board, urged that with an increased accident rate resulting from the greater use of the snowfields, a first aid post should be established in the ski-tow area. He urged that better transport should be made available and that a special shelter should be provided to cover waiting time. These matters should ne the responsibility of the Tourist Department but it was the board’s concern to see that they were provided. Quoting two accidents of the season just concluded, Mr. Syme said delay had been occasioned by a shortage of stretchers. Some of the clubs have these, but it was not for the clubs io provide for the general public. A small room where a doctor could treat a patient was of vital important. The Chateau manager (Mr. L. Dennis) said all the necessary equipment was stored at Salt Hut. He had arranged with the Aorangi Club to carry a stretcher. With what was being done in the tow area, the staircase and at the end of the road, he thought ample provision was being made to cope with accidents. The department would render all possible aid, but. he thought that people using the mountain should assist when the occasion ■rose. Shelter would be provided and he thought that with transport being arranged the department had the mater will in hand. Mr. Syme said a suggestion had ome from a club that all clubs be levied to assist in furnishing the necessary equipment, but he did not know how this suggestion would be received.