NATIONAL PARK NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 36, 28 February 1984, Page 4

NATIONAL PARK NEWS

A 15-year old National Park youth who was attending St Stephen's school in Feilding as a boarder was killed in a motor-cycle accident on Sunday 19 February near Opiki, south of Foxton, after spending the weekend on a farm near Otaki. He was David Gregory Peck whose family operate the Forbes Store in National Park. At the funeral in Taumarunui last Wednesday, boys from St Stephen's school formed a guard-of-honour and, with some teachers, also acted as pallbearers. The prineipal of St Stephen's read one of the lessons. ★ ★ ★ A 19-year old man from Kawhia who had been employed by the Parks Board as a seasonal parks assistant for the past four months and who was living at the Ski Haus in National Park was killed when the jeep he was driving rolled and crashed about 3kms up the Chateau Tongariro road at about 1 1 ,30pm on Friday 17 February. He was Brent Ian McKay and was the sole occupant of the vehicle. He was still

breathing when found by a passing Auckland family who transferred him to their car and attempted resuscitation during the drive to Taumarunui Hospital. Prior to joining the Parks Board for the summer season he had been employed by RAL at Whakapapa last ski season. ★ ★ ★ A 6-year old National Park boy, Kahutia Wade, was lost for several hours last Tuesday night while a 67-strong search team of local residents, including many women and staff from Waikune prison, searched for him. He was found safe but tired, cold and hungry just after midnight. He had apparently being playing with a friend of the same age but had fallen asleep. Speaking of the search and rescue effort, National Park constable Jim Gossman said that it was tremendous effort ... "bi^^ that's what small communities are all about."