Praise for rescued climbers

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 2

Praise for rescued climbers

PA Nelson The police yesterday praised two mountain climbers who spent three days on a ledge after one of them was knocked unconscious in a fall. David Thomas, aged 21, of Blenheim, and Stephen Gunn, aged 19, of Nelson, were recovering yesterday from their ordeal which began on Sunday and ended with a helicopter rescue on Tuesday. Mr Gunn was resting but Mr Thomas was reported to be in a serious condition in the intensivecare unit of Nelson Hospital with head injuries.. The pair were roped together, climbing Mount Hopeless in the Travers Range, Nelson Lakes National Park, when they fell 20m. The rope caught on a rock and left them dangling above a 200 m drop. Mr Thomas was knocked unconscious in the fall, and Mr Gunn swung both of them on to a small rock ledge. Senior-Sergeant Pat Bickley said both men had done the right things before setting out, and had correct gear. “Mr Gunn, in particular, did all the right things to help his friend,” he said. A trainee ranger, Mr Mark Townsend, who with a senior ranger, Mr Mai Clarbrough, found the men on Tuesday, said the climbers’ preparation had made the search quick and easy.