aproberts
Mar 31, 2004, 6:34 AM
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Registered: Mar 31, 2004
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Follow up on December 2003 accident. There have been another six deaths in the Mt
Cook region since then.
Latvian climbers' deaths shows need for helmets - coroner
WEDNESDAY, 31 MARCH 2004
The coroner reviewing the deaths of Four Latvian climbers says had the group been wearing helmets some of them may have survived.
Teodoris Kirsis, 61, his daughter Evija Kirse, 29, Aivars Prosenkovs, 49 and Ilamaris Bernanen, 49, died after they plunged 300m while climbing down the Linda Glacier, Mt Cook, last December 10.
Coroner Edgar Bradley said yesterday after reviewing the evidence there had been two accidents on the mountain that afternoon - one when Mr Prosekovs, who was climbing alone, fell and slid down the Linda Shelf. He landed on the glacier and the accident is believed to have occurred while he was about to abseil down or while on his descent from Mt Cook.
The second accident happened when one of the other three climbers, while descending the shelf, likely going to Prosenkovs assistance, was struck by failing rock or ice and pulled the others, who were roped to him, off the mountain.
All four climbers were found to have died as a result of severe to acute massive trauma which caused multiple injuries.
Mr Bradley said it was clear all four climbers were fit and capable mountaineers with much international experience.
"However, the fact that they were not fully familiar with New Zealand mountain conditions. In particular the unstable nature of much of the ice and snow may have contributed."
The group had started to ascend the mountain from the Plateau Hut at a later hour in the day than is usually the case, thereby exposing themselves to greater danger from falling ice and rock later in the day, he explained. They also failed to observe the normal practice in such conditions of wearing climbing helmets.
"It is unlikely that Mr Prosenkovs would have survived had he been wearing a climbing helmet, but the other three could well have.
"The main lesson to be learnt from these tragedies is that the wearing of helmets in such an area as this must be regarded as a necessity."
In a statement provided to the coroner senior constable Brent Swanson said a film was recovered from the deceased and developed. It showed the climbers' ascent and the group on the summit. Mr Swanson said one of the photographs shows the deceased descending just minutes before their fatal falls.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2861049a11,00.html
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