LEDGE COLLAPSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 27, 26 October 1937, Page 6

LEDGE COLLAPSES

Press Association.)

Jragedy in the Otira Gorge COMPANION SAFE

(By Telegraph--'

GREYMOUTH, Last Nigbt. Crashing down the mountainside a distance of 1000 feet, Stanley Nicholls, aged 27, an employee of Ballantyne's, Christchurch, met his death in the Otira gcrge this afternoon. Mr. Nicholis, who was on a mountaineering expedition with a companion named Richard. Simpson, also of Christchurch, was procecding alcng the mountain when the ledge on which he was waiking gave way, precipitating him over the side. Falling 500 feet, he struck another ledge and xehouhded to fall to the bed of the Otira river. Experiencing great difficulty owing to the rugged nature of the country, Mr. Simpson reached Mr. Nichols some time later, finding him dead. He then made m two-hour journey to the nearest road « and walked another mile to the Otira G«rge hotel, where the police were communicated with. Owing to the lateness of the hour and; the fact that darbness had fallen, it was decided. that the task of bringing the body to Otira should he left till the morning. Constahle Gill, of Otira, •will proceed to the scene with a seaxch party early to-morrow morning.