Kiwi dies in climbing tragedy
A Taranaki man has died in a freak accident while climbing in Australia’s Blue Mountains.
Richard Mills is being remembered as a ‘‘larger than life character’’ who lived the way he wanted.
Mills, 36, died on Sunday after he was hit by a 30cm rock during a climb known as Sweet Dreams at the mountain range west of Sydney. Mills had been rock climbing with a friend who was able to call for help.
Police rescue teams battled strong winds in the mountain range but managed to abseil to Williams, who was on a ledge, but paramedics were unable to save him after he went into cardiac arrest.
‘‘He was a larger than life character, put it that way,’’ Mills’ uncle, Mike Sandle, said yesterday.
‘‘He packed a lot into his 36 years. I got asked what his occupation was and I thought that was a good question because his main one was loving life.’’
Born and raised in Stratford, Mills went to New Plymouth Boys’ High School before he took up an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic.
‘‘He soon realised there was more in the world than just being a diesel mechanic,’’ Sandle said.
Not afraid to turn his hand to anything once he travelled to live across the Tasman about a decade ago, Sandle said Mills studied music, worked managing a number of bands, was a roadie, sold craft beer commercially and even did television advertisements.
‘‘He had a varied life. He was fun-loving and packed a lot into it, that is for sure.’’
A death notice in the Taranaki Daily News, described him as ‘‘free spirited, loving and much-loved’’ who was ‘‘adored and enjoyed’’ by all his family.
‘‘His sense of humour, resounding voice and big laugh will be hugely missed. Rich touched so many people’s lives and lit up every room he walked into.’’
Sandle said Mills was on a beginner’s slope in the Blue Mountains when he was struck.
‘‘All we can say is it was just a freak accident and very, very tragic.’’
Sandle, along with other members of Mills’ family, will travel to Australia on Saturday to repatriate his nephew’s body once the coroner releases it.
‘‘The aim is to bring him home for a celebration of his life once we get him back to Taranaki,’’ Sandle said.
‘‘It will be a great celebration for a life taken way too soon.’’