Broke Spine When Seeking Help

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30959, 15 January 1966, Page 1

Broke Spine When Seeking Help

(From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, January 14. Mr D. Drake, of Fairlie, who was injured this week when seeking help for two companions who had fallen on Mount Jellicoe, has a fractured spine, according to the Timaru Hospital authorities. His condition is satisfactory.

Gustave Neville Powell, aged 40, a schoolteacher, of 32 Porter crescent, Helensville, suffered severe general bruising. His condition is satisfactory, as is that of Miss Beverley Joy Price, also a teacher, of 184 Mount Albert road, Auckland, who has a fractured pelvis. The Mount Cook National Park Board’s chief ranger (Mr M. L. Burke) said at midday today that the last of the ground parties had just returned to headquarters. Six all told, they are employed by the board, and were in the first party sent to the Hooker Valley, under Ranger B. L. Jenkinson.

Most of the climbers returned to the Hermitage area last evening. The rear party stayed at the Empress hut (8300 ft overnight. Mr Burke had nothing but praise for the support given by the Timaru police. “They gave all the help that could be provided, rescue gear was sent from Christchurch as quickly as possible,

and there was no hesitation in authorising the use of the helicopter,” he said. He added that many climbers would leave the Mount Cook area during the weekend, but one or two had gone up the Tasman valley. Japanese climbers based at the Malte Brun hut (5700 ft which is at the foot of Mount Malte Brun on rock and snow tussock flat about 500 ft above the Tasman glacier, intended to come down to the park board’s headquarters to replenish their supplies, Mr Burke said.