Deaths hit mountain operators hard

Three people have died on Mt Hutt recently. Photo / Supplied

Three deaths in as many months have left the operators of Mt Hutt skifield reeling, while a climbing fatality on Mt Ruapehu has raised questions about whether people should have to wear helmets when out in the snow.

The three Mt Hutt deaths - two skiers and a snowboarder - have devastated ski field staff, manager David Wilson said yesterday.

"I've been here for 10 years and we have never had a year like this, to be honest. In it's history Mt Hutt has never had a year like this. We are pretty upset about what's gone on and we especially feel for the families."

Mr Wilson said the skifield always looked closely at such incidents to see if there was anything that could be done to help mitigate the circumstances in which the deaths occurred.

"I think generally it is a reminder in all these cases, if there is anything to come out of it ... to make sure you ski and ride to your ability and check the terrain that you are going to."

The latest mountain death - which occurred on Saturday when Paul McLauchlan, 34, plunged 300m on Mt Ruapehu - has raised questions about whether people should have to wear helmets when out in the snow.

However, the Mountain Safety Council says there do not appear to be any common factors linking the four deaths and at least two of the victims were wearing helmets when they fell.

Mr McLauchlan, from Wellington, was on an Alpine Club training climb at Whakapapa when he died. He was believed to have been wearing protective gear when he slipped near the Pinnacle Ridge. He was with three other student climbers and two guides who could only watch helplessly as he fell.

Mountain Safety Council alpine and avalanche programme manager Andrew Hobman said there was nothing to suggest any commonality between the series of fatal mountain incidents - besides the fact they were all out on the snow and involved a fall.

"It's unusual but it's really a tragic coincidence, especially the [three] at Mt Hutt. To have them all happen in one area is just dreadful ... [but] I don't think anything can be taken out of it as far as safety."

Mr Hobman said the council strongly recommended people wear helmets, especially if participating in extreme sports, but wouldn't go so far as to push for it to become mandatory.

He said there were scenarios when helmets wouldn't make any difference, such as falls beyond 200-300m. They could however help prevent more serious injury or death in other instances.

Mr Hobman said it was critically important people matched their skill level with the terrain and conditions.

Mountain fatalities

* Saturday: Alpine Club member Paul McLauchlan, 34, falls 300m near Whakapapa Skifield.

* Friday: Christchurch snowboarder, 30, dies after sliding about 300m at Mt Hutt Skifield.

* July: Dimity Anne Tomkins, 54, falls about 500m while skiing with her teenage daughter on Mt Hutt.

* June: 21-year-old American woman dies after slipping 160m while skiing on Mt Hutt.