Gorge tragedy overwhelmingly sad
I watched TVNZ 1’s Sunday Theatre: In A Flash (July 1) through misty eyes. I can’t explain the emotion I felt and, still feel, about this horrifying tragedy. In awe, I watched as those young actors portrayed the six students from Elim Christian College, who lost their lives, along with one of their teachers. It would have to be one of the most moving re-enacted dramas I have ever watched. My thoughts were also about the parents of those students and I just could not imagine how they must have felt. The raging torrent which swept down the gorge as those students stood on that narrow ledge, shivering with cold and fear ... it must have been an overwhelming, nightmarish time for them all, as they waited till it was their turn to jump into that murky torrent. The sadness of the two on the bank as they watched their friends fighting to grab the rope and losing the battle. I also couldn’t help feeling emotional for the young woman who was their guide. Tragically, her inexperience turned what was to be an adventure of personal growth into a devastating tragedy. My heart-felt admiration goes out to those parents who allowed this tragedy to be told. I would also like to acknowledge Kerry Harvey for her writings – A tragedy revisited.
Pauleen Wilkinson (Rotorua) My husband and I were in two minds about whether to watch Sunday Theatre: In A Flash as it was such a delicate subject to deal with. We live in the Taup area and tramp regularly in the Tongariro National Park. On that day 10 years ago, we were due to tramp in that area with our tramping club but because of the poor weather forecast, the tramp was changed to another safer area with no river crossings involved. We really cannot understand why the Hillary Outdoor Centre went ahead with the gorge activity and many concerns were expressed here about that decision at the time. There was definitely not enough guidance given. However, although the forecast was not good, the rain was nowhere near as heavy as in the film – nobody in their right mind would have even gone tramping in the rain as portrayed. It certainly made extremely sad watching. We admire the way that Elim College dealt with the needless loss of so many students and their teacher. I’m not sure that all of us would have been as accommodating.
Isabel Hutcheon (Taup )