Coroner urges equipment checks for extreme skiers
The reason for a fall that killed a Swedish skier on Aoraki/Mt Cook cannot be established with certainty, a coroner has found.
However, faulty ski bindings were more likely to be to blame than a lapse in judgment from the experienced skier.
Magnus Kastengren and his friend Carl Fransson were traversing Aoraki’s summit ridge, intending to descend the northwest Caroline face, in November last year.
Within minutes, Kastengren lost control of his skis and fell 600 metres to his death.
He died of high energy impact injuries to his head, chest and abdominal organs, coroner David Crerar found.
According to senior mountain guide Geoffrey Wayatt, the pair had a world class reputation for their skiing skills and were extremely fit.
In a blog, Fransson described the terrain as ‘‘easy to ski for anyone of our experience’’.
‘‘In fact, it was one of the easiest things we had done in the whole trip’’.
However, Crerar said the terrain still presented ‘‘great objective danger’’.
A lapse in Kastengren’s judgment was a possibility, though it was remote, he said.
‘‘The slightest misjudgment in such terrain exposes a skier to substantial [fatal] consequences.’’
Crerar found that faulty ski bindings were more likely to blame, as Kastengren fell within minutes of the traverse.
However, there was no evidence for this, as Kastengren’s skis could not be recovered.
Crerar recommended that skiers regularly check and replace their critical equipment, and double-check it with a buddy before carrying out high-risk activities.
‘‘Extreme skiing requires ability, experience, passion and courage,’’ Crerar said. ‘‘Magnus Kastengren possessed all of these attributes. His death, however, is an indication of the very real dangers involved in the chosen pastime.’’
New Zealand Alpine Club general manager Sam Newton said ‘‘the release of the coroner’s findings reminds me of the extraordinary ski descents that Magnus and Andreas undertook last year’’.
‘‘It was cutting-edge stuff, by guys at the top of their game.’’
Newton said the death served as a timely reminder that in an environment that extreme, the tiniest mishap, error or even gear failure could be fatal.
Alpine Guides Aoraki chief guide Dave McKinley said the findings were in line with what he thought they would be. ‘‘Every time you have a piece of equipment that your life inherently relies on, it is an issue.’’
McKinley said he was pleased the coroner had acknowledged Kastengren’s skills and experience.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety Council welcomed the coroner’s recommendation that all skiers check their equipment and double-check it with a buddy before engaging in high-risk activities. ‘‘In fact, all outdoors recreationists should invest in quality equipment, which is appropriate for their chosen activity. Part of the trip planning and preparation process should involve checking all clothing and equipment and where necessary replacing it on a regular basis,’’ a spokesperson said.