EGMONT TRAGEDY

Hokitika Guardian, 13 May 1927, Page 1

EGMONT TRAGEDY

E U RTII ICR PAR TIC GEAR A. THREE MEN SLIDE 800 FEET. [ltY TELFCiRAPn—I'ER PRESS ASSOCIATION’.] HA WERA, May ]•>. Further particulars of the tragedy on Mount Egmont make it now certain that the man killed is Latham. Bailies is still missing. He is being searched for. Those engaged in searching believe he will be fount! living. The party, consisting of Latham, Baines, and Taylor (teachers at the Wanganui Collegiate School) and Dennis Allen (aged 15, a pupil), left Dawson’s Falls at 8.30 o’clock yesterday. They failed to return. Their absence alarmed Air Murphy, the Custodian, and a search was begun. Air White left Dawson’s Falls at six o’clock, having on the way up missed Allen, who eventually returned to the Accommodation House.

Another search party was formed, and set out for the mountain at ten minutes to three this morning. Taylor was found lying unconscious across the body of Latham, which latter is being brought down. Two parties are searching for Baines. Air Murphy, the Custodian of the Hostel, states that the four climbers slid for a distance of 1550 feet before they stopped. Here Allen cut adrift. The three men were then precipitated a further -150 feet. Allen set out for the Accommodation House. He eventually struck the ICapuui River. Tie and Taylor are at present in bed in Dawson’s Falls, suffering front shock, exposure, and bruises, KLTTIAAL Alay 12. From the description of Baines and Latham given bv the survivors to the police, it appears that the dead man is Latham, who is married with two children. Baines is reported to have no relatives in New Zealand. Taylor anil Allen were removed to Hawern Hospital this afternoon. 'The recovered body lies at Kapongn. awaiting assured identification. Deceased’s head is much mutilated. THE GUIDE’S HOPES. ELTHAAI. Alay 12. Guide Alurphy said to an “Argus” reporter;—”>l have searched every inch of Faiitfiam's Peak and have found no sign of the fourth mountaineer.” Air Alurphv considers there is every probability that he will he found alive, and that he is in the dense hush at the base of the mountain. The search is being continued to-morrow.