Coroner finds Whakapapa not negligent

Ruapehu Bulletin, 21 December 1993, Page 3

Coroner finds Whakapapa not negligent

A Hamilton coroner is satisfied that there was no negligence on the part of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts following the deaths of two boy scouts at Whakapapa in October. Coroner Chris Harding's findings relating to the deaths of brothers Larry and Darren Ferguson at the ski field on 1 6 October, were released earlier this month. He found the boys died from multiple injuries sustained after they fell 160m down a cliff below Pinnacle Platters while on a Scout trip to Mt Ruapehu. Regional Conservator Paul Green said he was pleased that the coroner' s report had noted R AL' s efforts to ensure high safety standards at Mt Ruapehu. He said he was particularly pleased that the coroner accepted signs and fences could not be placed at every area of hazard in a mountain environment. RAL General Manager Dave Mazey reiterated Mr Green' s comments. "We were pleased to note the Coroner accepted the seriousness with which the Company takes its safety responsibilities and the highly professsional ski patrol systems that are applied", he said. Mr Harding said in his report that a warning sign near a rock used by the boys as a meeting place had not been noticed, or sufficiently noticed. He continued by saying that there appeared to be different interpretations by experts and novices of the warning signs, saying that they "were unlikely to convey adequately the concept that the area is inherently dangerous." Mr Mazey said that the Department of Conservation together with RAL intend to carry out a detailed and specific review this summer, including an assessment of the design and wording of all safety signs. "We offer our sincere condolences to the Ferguson family and would like to assure them that lessons learnt from this tragic accident will be reflected in safety services available at Whakapapa Ski Area", he said.