TWO CLIMBERS INJURED

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1931, Page 5

TWO CLIMBERS INJURED

FALL DOWN MOUNTAIN. FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE DEATH. CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. Two Christchurch climbers, Messrs IH. M’D. Vincent arid F. Hinton, who somersaulted and rolled more than 500 yards down a mountainside while descending from a peak near Arthur’s Pass yesterday, had a, fortunate- escape from death. Mr Vincent had ribs broken. His right knee was badly wrenched, and his left thumb was dislocated. 'Mr Hinton was badly bruised, and both suffered considerably from shock. The two men were members of a party of four Christchurch journalists who left Arthur’s Pass at 8.30 a.m. yesterday to climb Avalanche Peak. They reached the summit shortly after noon, and began to come down by the ridge that leads right up to the top of the i peak. < The party came to a steep snowfield, and Mr Vincent commenced to glissade, Mr Hinton following. Both men struck a patch of ice. The axes, with which they were steadying themselves, slipped from their grasp, and they began to slide and roll down the steep slope, o They stopped rolling alter more than 500 yards, and, to. the. horror of the other two members of the: party, who were still watching from above, lay motionless. The other two men hurried down to where their comrades lay. They soon regained consciousness, and 'began the long and painful walk back to the pass. After struggling along for about an hour, the party met Dr. Wyn-Irwin, vvuo gave assistance and helped the in-, j tired men down to Coberger’s shop. The excursion train for Christchurch was held for twenty minutes while the climbers received attention. Mr Vincent was put on a stretcher in the guard’s van, and, on arrival in Christchurch, was helped into a taxi. Mr Hinton, except for bruises and abrasions, is uninjured, Mr Vincents injuries, although painful, are not serious. Members of the party, are unanimous ,iTi tliejr opinion that the two men had a most fortunate escape from death. It is considered that both of them struck rock in the course of their full.