Parents criticise Army

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 377, 12 March 1991, Page 2

Parents criticise Army

Two families of the dead soldiers claimed the Army had not handled the tragedy properly, and have been reported widely in the national media, including the Homes Show on Television One. They said there were lots of little things about the way the army

handled the aftermath of the tragedy, mainly to do with communication. Garry Menhennet, father of one of the men, said he had been told while the tragedy was unfolding that the group was equipped with radios, but later found this to be untrue. The parents also said they were not informed of the group's plight until the day after it was known. Pauline Barker, the mother of another of the soldiers, said they were still receiving a bill for gear their son had

bought from an army store before the expedition. The parents expressed disappointment that no Army representative was at the inquest. There was a Navy representative there, they said. Army public relations officer Major Alan Johnson said the parents were never told the group had radios. He said there appeared to be some confusion over the issue, possibly with regard to radio contact with the rescuers. He denied that there

was no Army representative at the inquest, saying the Navy officer, who was a staff officer from Defence Headquarters, was representing the army. Major John McLeod of Waiouru said Headquarters would have sent the Navy officer because she was the most well qualified to attend such an inquest. Major Johnson said the criticism of the coroner was not unexpected and was accepted by the army.