Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3638

Author: PeteM
Date: Thu, 28 Sep 2000 20:21

165 lines
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I attach the following item from yesterday's New Zealand Herald. Brian is a
member of our club and SAR team and we are really proud of him.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=153107&thesection=news&th
esubsection=general

Family tramp becomes a battle against death

28.09.2000 -

John Painting and his 13-year-old son, Matt, checked internet weather
forecasts for a week before they drove to Turangi for four days of
"bloke-bonding."

The Auckland pair made a final check with the MetService on Sunday
afternoon, the night before they set off on their tramping and hunting trip.

At 9.30 am on Monday, the Paintings locked their car at the base of the
Umukarikari Track and headed into the bush.

Only an hour earlier, Turangi police had warned 42-year-old John Painting to
not even consider making the tramp unless he and his son had sufficient
gear.

Mr Painting and Matt were equipped for nights in the bush.

But they weren't ready for what lay ahead of them - the worst blizzard to
hit the Kaimanawa Ranges in years.

They listened to the warning, but began their tramp.

Three hours later, shortly after noon, a third man set off on the
Umukarikari Track.

Rotorua nursing consultant Brian Pickering, an experienced bushman and a
member of the Rotorua search and rescue team, was setting out on a nine-day
tramp to Napier.

By 3 pm, John and Matt Painting were in trouble.

The blizzard had hit, and they were suddenly enveloped by sub-zero
temperatures, snow and howling 80-knot winds.

It took only minutes for Mr Painting to be affected by hypothermia.

His body temperature plummeted, he began to shiver uncontrollably and he
became delirious.

Matt Painting, a Birkdale Intermediate pupil, found the fingers of his
gloves freezing together as he and his father stumbled along an exposed
ridge, trying to decide what to do.

They worked out they were only an hour's tramp from the safety of Waipakihi
Hut but could not orient themselves.

At 4 pm, they decided to try shelter in their tent, but its tubing collapsed
in the wind as the Paintings tried desperately to pitch it.

The severity of their situation began to set in.

Ten minutes later, Brian Pickering was heading towards the hut when he
spotted the Paintings through the blizzard, which had reduced visibility to
30m.

He could tell from their soaked clothing and "punch drunk" behaviour that
their condition was grave.

Mr Pickering manhandled the pair off the ridge and into a small gully
sprinkled with tussock.

He got them into a sleeping bag, pulled his tent over them and, at 7pm,
called for help on his cellphone.

That was when the remarkable efforts of around 40 Turangi area search and
rescue crew began.

At 8 pm, members of Team One headed into the bush. They spent two hours
crawling on their hands and knees, battling raging winds with a chill factor
of up to 20 degrees below zero.

Fearing for their lives, they turned back at 3.30am.

Mr Painting's wife Karen and daughter Chrissie were told of the crisis at
11pm and headed to Turangi. Mr Pickering's wife, Jessica, slept by the
phone.

Huddled inside Mr Pickering's tent, Matt can remember the stranger forcing
snacks of chocolate, muesli bars and gingernuts into his mouth.

Most of all, he recalls the urgency of Mr Pickering's voice as he repeatedly
urged, "Don't go to sleep".

The three yelled at each other throughout the night, while Mr Pickering kept
cellphone contact with the rescue team.

But at 3.45am, his phone battery died and contact was lost.

An hour later, Team Two headed into the blizzard and this time, five hours
later, rescuers reached the stricken trio.

They established radio contact with the Turangi base and the Tranz Rail
rescue helicopter was dispatched.

Pilot Shamus Howard made two attempt to reach the trampers - one at 1.15 pm
and another at 5.30 pm.

High winds forced him back both times.

Two of the rescue team, Peter Morton and Harvey Steeds, stayed with the
trampers during their second day and night in the cold, making sure they
were fed, warm and rested.

Yesterday at 8.30 am, Ruapehu Alpine Rescue members Howard and Jared
Goedhart reached the Paintings and Mr Pickering.

Matt Painting remembers the start of a series of hot drinks and warmth
slowly returning to his shivering body.

Then the Tranz Rail rescue helicopter swept into view, he recalls with a
grin.

"It just appeared over the ridge. I was grabbed by my shoulder and lifted
in - it was quite a fun trip."

His father does not have such clear memories of the ordeal.

He was semi-conscious when Mr Pickering found him and worse affected than
his son by the cold. He had made sure Matt was wearing the only windbreaker
the pair had.

Senior Constable Cliff Jones of Turangi police says the Painting's near
tragedy was entirely avoidable. "They were shockingly prepared," he said.

Their sleeping bags were filled with a thin dacron-polyester mix unsuited
for the alpine conditions, and they did not have enough clothing. Their tent
lacked the tubing necessary for use in 80-knot winds and driving snow.

Mr Painting says he has learned a lesson.

"This is what I have learned from the whole experience - bush and alpine
tramping are very different. I've often thought 'how could someone get into
trouble in the Waitakere Ranges?'

"I have made the same mistake in someone else's environment. But I have no
recollection of having been advised of the weather.

"I would not have gone if I had consciously known it would be freezing."

"Our problem is lack of experience," said Mr Painting.

"Brian had a lot more experience and you wonder if even he should have been
in there. But thank goodness he was - we owe that guy so much."

Brian Pickering rejects any suggestion of heroism.


"There wasn't really any option. There wasn't any decision to make. It's
absolute luck I found them. If I had staggered a couple of metres off the
track..."

Resuce helicopter pilot Shamus Howard put it starkly: "They were not due out
until Friday.

"If that guy hadn't found them it would have been Saturday before anyone
looked for them. By then, they would have been dead."

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3639

Author: peter
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 05:55

23 lines
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snip
> Family tramp becomes a battle against death
>
>
> The Auckland pair made a final check with the MetService on Sunday
> afternoon, the night before they set off on their tramping and hunting
trip.
>
> At 9.30 am on Monday, the Paintings locked their car at the base of the
> Umukarikari Track and headed into the bush.
>
> Only an hour earlier, Turangi police had warned 42-year-old John Painting
to
> not even consider making the tramp unless he and his son had sufficient
> gear.
>

The other pair who got into trouble in Corimandel a few weeks ago ignored
the advice of the ranger as well.
Only one of them got out alive.
I suppose these ones can count themselves lucky.
Peter.

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3640

Author: Tintin
Date: Fri, 29 Sep 2000 19:48

45 lines
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"PeteM" <pmcke@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:8r097j$ok1$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> Only an hour earlier, Turangi police had warned 42-year-old John Painting
to
> not even consider making the tramp unless he and his son had sufficient
> gear.
>

> They listened to the warning, but began their tramp.
>
> He was semi-conscious when Mr Pickering found him and worse affected than
> his son by the cold. He had made sure Matt was wearing the only
windbreaker
> the pair had.
>
> Senior Constable Cliff Jones of Turangi police says the Painting's near
> tragedy was entirely avoidable. "They were shockingly prepared," he said.
>
> Their sleeping bags were filled with a thin dacron-polyester mix unsuited
> for the alpine conditions, and they did not have enough clothing. Their
tent
> lacked the tubing necessary for use in 80-knot winds and driving snow.
>
> Mr Painting says he has learned a lesson.
>
> "This is what I have learned from the whole experience - bush and alpine
> tramping are very different. I've often thought 'how could someone get
into
> trouble in the Waitakere Ranges?'

There is no excuse for ignorance or stupidity, especially when Mr Painting
had all the latest weather forcasts and advice from police not to go.  I
really hope that he is made to pay for the full cost of the recovery.

I have absolutely no problem with helicopters and rescue crews going in to
rescue people who are sick or injured, but if it is an action brought on by
a person who has ignored advice and/or is very badly prepared, they should
not expect a free ride out.

If my memory serves me correct, I'm sure that non-critical helicopter
rescues in NSW, recover some of their costs from the people involved.  I
heard of some rediculous stories of people walking in the Blue Mountains and
phoning the helicopter rescue because they were feeling a little tired and
couldn't be bothered walking up a hill.

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3641

Author: PeterM
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 00:47

77 lines
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It has been reported that Mr Painting did not recall the warning. Either
there was a misunderstanding or maybe loss of memory is one of the effects
of hypothermia. The guy is now very remorseful.

With regards to the recovery of the costs of a SAR operation, I am against
that. This is not really an issue amongst SAR volunteers. They are only too
happy to help, keeping in mind that they themselves may one day require
assistance.

Also, as most of our operations are SEARCH rather than RESCUE, the earlier a
missing person is reported the better. If someone knows that they might be
charged for an operation, then they may hesitate to report a missing person,
this just makes the whole thing harder and costlier.

As with most successful SAR operations, the victim is eternally grateful and
has well and truely learned his lesson. A monetary penalty would serve no
purpose. Mr Painting has said he will be spending some of his time in the
future helping with outdoor education, using himself as an example of how
NOT to go into the outdoors.



Tintin <you.will.always.find.him.in.the.kitchen@parties> wrote in message
news:970257012.53675@shelley.paradise.net.nz...
>
> "PeteM" <pmcke@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:8r097j$ok1$1@news.wave.co.nz...
> > Only an hour earlier, Turangi police had warned 42-year-old John
Painting
> to
> > not even consider making the tramp unless he and his son had sufficient
> > gear.
> >
>
> > They listened to the warning, but began their tramp.
> >
> > He was semi-conscious when Mr Pickering found him and worse affected
than
> > his son by the cold. He had made sure Matt was wearing the only
> windbreaker
> > the pair had.
> >
> > Senior Constable Cliff Jones of Turangi police says the Painting's near
> > tragedy was entirely avoidable. "They were shockingly prepared," he
said.
> >
> > Their sleeping bags were filled with a thin dacron-polyester mix
unsuited
> > for the alpine conditions, and they did not have enough clothing. Their
> tent
> > lacked the tubing necessary for use in 80-knot winds and driving snow.
> >
> > Mr Painting says he has learned a lesson.
> >
> > "This is what I have learned from the whole experience - bush and alpine
> > tramping are very different. I've often thought 'how could someone get
> into
> > trouble in the Waitakere Ranges?'
>
> There is no excuse for ignorance or stupidity, especially when Mr Painting
> had all the latest weather forcasts and advice from police not to go.  I
> really hope that he is made to pay for the full cost of the recovery.
>
> I have absolutely no problem with helicopters and rescue crews going in to
> rescue people who are sick or injured, but if it is an action brought on
by
> a person who has ignored advice and/or is very badly prepared, they should
> not expect a free ride out.
>
> If my memory serves me correct, I'm sure that non-critical helicopter
> rescues in NSW, recover some of their costs from the people involved.  I
> heard of some rediculous stories of people walking in the Blue Mountains
and
> phoning the helicopter rescue because they were feeling a little tired and
> couldn't be bothered walking up a hill.
>
>

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3636

Author: Tintin
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 02:27

55 lines
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"PeterM" <pmcke@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:39d53839@clear.net.nz...
> It has been reported that Mr Painting did not recall the warning. Either
> there was a misunderstanding or maybe loss of memory is one of the effects
> of hypothermia. The guy is now very remorseful.

And so he should be remorseful.  He did a very foolish thing and was very
lucky for him and his son to be saved.


>
> With regards to the recovery of the costs of a SAR operation, I am against
> that. This is not really an issue amongst SAR volunteers. They are only
too
> happy to help, keeping in mind that they themselves may one day require
> assistance.

SAR operations are very expensive and can always do with additional money to
support them.  I'm sure when a SAR volunteer needs a rescue operation, it
will be for a geniune reason and not because they were ignoring advice and
under prepared.

>
> Also, as most of our operations are SEARCH rather than RESCUE, the earlier
a
> missing person is reported the better. If someone knows that they might be
> charged for an operation, then they may hesitate to report a missing
person,
> this just makes the whole thing harder and costlier.

Perhaps.   It's hard to say whether it would or wouldn't effect peoples
decision.

>
> As with most successful SAR operations, the victim is eternally grateful
and
> has well and truely learned his lesson. A monetary penalty would serve no
> purpose. Mr Painting has said he will be spending some of his time in the
> future helping with outdoor education, using himself as an example of how
> NOT to go into the outdoors.

I don't see it as just a penalty.  As I said previously, SAR operations are
expensive and always in need of additional funds.

Remember the stink after Tony Bullimore and others had to be rescued from
the Southern Ocean by the Australian Navy at great tax payers expense.  I'm
very pleased that a human life was saved and that the navy got good
practice.  However, the person (or organisers) responsible for their
situation should accept the cost of rescue.

I realise it is easy for a millionare like Tony Bullimore to foot the costs
of a rescue and that Mr Painting would not be in the same financial
situation.  Mr Painting's plans to help with outdoor education is to be
applauded.  I'd suggest that other people who have been rescued in similar
circumstances do a similar thing.

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3637

Author: Frank and Dorothy
Date: Sat, 30 Sep 2000 20:27

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Tintin wrote:
> SAR operations are very expensive and can always do with additional money to
> support them.

Land SAR operations typically aren't very expensive. Mainly because
volunteers provie their time and equipment for free. Sea SAR is usually
enormously expensive.

> I'm sure when a SAR volunteer needs a rescue operation, it
> will be for a geniune reason and not because they were ignoring advice and
> under prepared.

The tricky question is: What is a genuine reason? What is under
prepared?

To some extent, every time you go into the outdoors their is risk.
(IMHO, that is one of the reasons to go out into the bush... the rest of
the world is too cossetted and safe). You cannot be prepared for *every*
eventuality. Advice will always be conservative -- it would be a foolish
cop (or DOC staff member or other public servant) who risked the rescuee
piping up with "But *he* said it was safe".

There is a range of behaviour and risk-taking. It's not cut and dried
that "this" is safe enough, but "that" is too dangerous.

> Perhaps.   It's hard to say whether it would or wouldn't effect peoples
> decision.

Of course it would. Call in the choppers and risk being forced to sell
your house to pay for the possibly unnecessary SAR operation, or leave
it another day in the hope that the missing party will walk out by
themselves?

When I was in Switzerland, membership of an alpine club included
insurance to cover the cost of SAR (if needed). However, in NZ many
people go into the back country who are not members of organised clubs.

I like the current arrangements... all NZ citizens pay "insurance" in
their taxes so that if they get lost or injured in the bush, they can be
found and rescued.

Frank
tramper & SAR volunteer

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3632

Author: C&K
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 00:00

4 lines
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I am quite sure no father would endanger his son intentionally, sometimes
things happen and its just plan old bad luck, we spend loads of our tax
money looking for idiot foreigners in yachts around NZ, so why not a couple
of our own when they need it?

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3633

Author: Tintin
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 20:19

11 lines
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"C&K" <geogre@net.nz> wrote in message
news:XLzI5.1438$xpid.20775007@news.xtra.co.nz...
> I am quite sure no father would endanger his son intentionally, sometimes
> things happen and its just plan old bad luck, we spend loads of our tax
> money looking for idiot foreigners in yachts around NZ, so why not a
couple
> of our own when they need it?

Is it bad luck to ignore the advice of the police and to ignore the weather
reports?

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3634

Author: C&K
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:00

21 lines
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Shit happens and they are ok
there a problem with that?


"Tintin" <you.will.always.find.him.in.the.kitchen@parties> wrote in message
news:972245972.768473@shelley.paradise.net.nz...
>
> "C&K" <geogre@net.nz> wrote in message
> news:XLzI5.1438$xpid.20775007@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > I am quite sure no father would endanger his son intentionally,
sometimes
> > things happen and its just plan old bad luck, we spend loads of our tax
> > money looking for idiot foreigners in yachts around NZ, so why not a
> couple
> > of our own when they need it?
>
> Is it bad luck to ignore the advice of the police and to ignore the
weather
> reports?
>
>

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3635

Author: Anton Pillar
Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 00:00

11 lines
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 > Is it bad luck to ignore the advice of the police and to ignore the
> weather
> > reports?


> Shit happens and they are ok
> there a problem with that?



Of course not, but some people make their own luck . . . good and bad.

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3627

Author: C&K
Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000 06:04

19 lines
2005 bytes

Yep


"Anton Pillar" <goneAway@dotcon.com> wrote in message
news:8t246v$q3o$1@news5.svr.pol.co.uk...
> > Is it bad luck to ignore the advice of the police and to ignore the
> > weather
> > > reports?
>
>
> > Shit happens and they are ok
> > there a problem with that?
>
>
>
> Of course not, but some people make their own luck . . . good and bad.
>
>
>

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3628

Author: Tintin
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 01:37

22 lines
2550 bytes

"C&K" <geogre@net.nz> wrote in message
news:6aUI5.1860$xpid.28180553@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > > I am quite sure no father would endanger his son intentionally,
> sometimes
> > > things happen and its just plan old bad luck, we spend loads of our
tax
> > > money looking for idiot foreigners in yachts around NZ, so why not a
> > couple
> > > of our own when they need it?
> >
> > Is it bad luck to ignore the advice of the police and to ignore the
> weather
> > reports?
>
> Shit happens and they are ok
> there a problem with that?

Shit doesn't always just happen, it is sometimes created.   If you were
going on holiday to a location that the Government warned you about that was
extremely dangerous and advised you not to go, and you got shot, would you
consider it to be plain bad luck or that you had it coming to you?

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3629

Author: C&K
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 06:48

12 lines
2109 bytes

well i wouldn't go, but cant speak for any other fuckwit, and er.. you got a
point to make or you just practicing ya typing?
like i said "shit happens" sometimes ya standing there when it happens,
sometimes ya miss the signs and walk into it

C

> Shit doesn't always just happen, it is sometimes created.   If you were
> going on holiday to a location that the Government warned you about that
was
> extremely dangerous and advised you not to go, and you got shot, would you
> consider it to be plain bad luck or that you had it coming to you?

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3630

Author: Tintin
Date: Sat, 28 Oct 2000 09:40

18 lines
2627 bytes

"C&K" <xxygeogre@net.nz.co> wrote in message
news:_DuK5.752$O7Kd.11075662@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > Shit doesn't always just happen, it is sometimes created.   If you were
> > going on holiday to a location that the Government warned you about that
> was
> > extremely dangerous and advised you not to go, and you got shot, would
you
> > consider it to be plain bad luck or that you had it coming to you?
>
> well i wouldn't go, but cant speak for any other fuckwit, and er.. you got
a
> point to make or you just practicing ya typing?
> like i said "shit happens" sometimes ya standing there when it happens,
> sometimes ya miss the signs and walk into it

Do you really not see the point?  Why do people issue warnings?  Should we
just ignore them?

Re: Family tramp becomes a battle against death

#3631

Author: C&K
Date: Sun, 29 Oct 2000 03:28

29 lines
2734 bytes

thinks for putting me right....  --------> P0iNT TaKeN<--------- forever in
you debt


"Tintin" <you.will.always.find.him.in.the.kitchen@parties> wrote in message
news:972726219.196199@shelley.paradise.net.nz...
>
> "C&K" <xxygeogre@net.nz.co> wrote in message
> news:_DuK5.752$O7Kd.11075662@news.xtra.co.nz...
> > > Shit doesn't always just happen, it is sometimes created.   If you
were
> > > going on holiday to a location that the Government warned you about
that
> > was
> > > extremely dangerous and advised you not to go, and you got shot, would
> you
> > > consider it to be plain bad luck or that you had it coming to you?
> >
> > well i wouldn't go, but cant speak for any other fuckwit, and er.. you
got
> a
> > point to make or you just practicing ya typing?
> > like i said "shit happens" sometimes ya standing there when it happens,
> > sometimes ya miss the signs and walk into it
>
> Do you really not see the point?  Why do people issue warnings?  Should we
> just ignore them?
>
>

🚀 go-pugleaf

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