THE TARARUA TRAGEDY

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2384, 26 January 1922, Page 3

THE TARARUA TRAGEDY

Harold William Freeman, who collapsed and died while crossing the Tararuas with a tramping party on Sunday, was a partner in the firm of Mitchell and Freeman, carpenters and joiners, of Wellington, and was formerly employed in the Public Works Department’s Wellington workshops. He was 27 years of age, single, and resided with his mother in Tinakori Road. The deceased went to the front with the Eighth Reinforcements, and was discharged “Fit A.’.’ His health had been excellent, and his death way most unexpected. The party, led by Mr Wilson, of Petone, an experienced mountaineer, left'the Fork at 5.45 a.m. on Sunday, and, in the afternoon, when on Mount Hector, encountered very bad weather. The climbers were then at a height of 5,000 ft., and they had a severe experience with the.gale. Nearing Mount Alpha, Freeman collapsed and became • unconscious. Some members of the party went aliead to the Mount Alpha shelter hut to obtain assistance. ‘ Mr Murie, junr., of Seatoun, and others who were there, went and assisted to carry Freeman to- the hut. On arrival at the shelter Freeman never regained consciousness, and died a little while later.