Climbers Flown Out By Helicopter

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30958, 14 January 1966, Page 1

Climbers Flown Out By Helicopter

(From Our Own Reporter!

TIMARU, January 13. The two climbers injured in a fall on Mount JellicoeMiss Beverley Joy Price, a school teacher, of 184 Mount Albert road, Auckland, and another teacher, Gustav Neville Powell, aged 40, of 32 Porter crescent, Helensville—were flown by helicopter from the head of the Hooker valley to the Mount Cook airstrip about 11.45 a.m. today.

At 12.20 p.m. they were flown to the Timaru airport at Levels in a Cessna 180, piloted by Mr A. Rudge, and from there taken to the Timaru Hospital.

A hospital spokesman said tonight that Miss Price was suffering from a fractured pelvis. Her condition was satisfactory.

No injuries have been listed for Mr Powell, who was said to be under observation. His condition is also satisfactory, as is that of Mr D. Drake, who was admitted yesterday with back injuries after he had fallen on his way to get help for Miss Price and Mr Powell. Miss Price and Mr Powell were caught by a powerful gust of wind and slammed against rocks while they and Mr Drake, who held them on the rope to which the three were attached, were negotiating an icy ridge on Tuesday morning.

The two Injured climbers were examined by Dr. J. R. McKinnon, recently appointed to the medical staff at the Timaru Hospital, who flew by helicopter to the Hooker valley, and climbed from the Gardiner hut to the eastern slope of Mount Jellicoe. Mr Drake, who injured his back when he slipped and fell near the Empress Hut. was flown by helicopter to Mount Cook and thence to Timaru for hospital treatment last night. Dr. McKinnon accompanied Miss Price and Mr Powell on the flight from the Hooker valley, and again from the Hermitage to Timaru. Last night the two injured climbers were bivouacked about 700 ft above the Hooker valley. Their tent, about 600 ft below the summit of Mount Jellicoe (9300 feet), was 300 feet from the upper ridge where their accident occurred and where Mr Drake had roped them down. An advance party of rescuers lowered them to a less perilous position yesterday afternoon. This phase lasted some time, as it was carried out in most difficult conditions, with snow and ice practically all the way. Two Nights In Open The injured climbers were more relaxed and comfortable after their second night in the open. Their discomfort

was shared by Dr. McKinnon and one of the 29 rescuers in the immediate vicinity. The rescue teams, which had met near the Empress hut, and at greater altitudes by last evening, made better progress in improved weather today. The stretcher-bearers had reached the pick-up point on the floor of the Hooker valley by 11.45 a.m. Strapped to stretchers, the injured climbers were transferred to the helicopter for their 15-minute flgiht to the airfield at Mount Cook. Owned by Helicopters New Zealand, Ltd., the helicopter was piloted by Mr R. Wilson, of Timaru. Mr Powell was carried inside the aircraft, and Miss Price lay on a rack. Biggest Rescue The fescue began soon after a radio message had been received from the Empress hut (8300 ft at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesday, was the largest in the Mount Cook region to date. Organised by the Mount Cook National Park Board’s chief ranger (Mr M. L. Burke), and the officer-in-charge of the Timaru police district (ChiefInspector E. J. Trappitt), it has left no doubts of the effectiveness of the search and rescue organisation in alpine areas.

Although the injured persons were carried, in stages, only 1000 ft from the place where the accident occurred, many hours of arduous climbing were involved. Parties were under the leadership of Ranger B. L. Jenkinson. Mr B. Hearfield. and Mr A. Vervoorn. Others in reserve included a Timaru police partv and a group under Mr P. Cuff. It may be late this evening before the last of the ground parties returns to the Park Board’s headquarters. They are spread out between the Empress hut and the Hooker Valley. Four or five climbers are staying at the Empress hut overnight. Usually, in reasonable climbing and weather conditions, it takes from six to seven hours to cover the distance from the head of the valley to the Hermitage. Mr Burke this evening paid a warm tribute to all those concerned in the rescue, especially those in the field. “They did a great job." he said.

He was particularly impressed by the new high-level-face rescue equipment, which “proved very valuable." The gear, flown from Christchurch at the suggestion of Inspector C. McKenzie, of the Christchurch police, arrived recently from Austria, and was used during a training course at Mount Cook last month.