Snowboarder tried to stop before fatal fall

The Mt Hutt ski field. Photo / Simon Baker

Christchurch snowboarder Nello Donaggio did everything in his power to stop himself from a 300m fall which claimed his life at Mt Hutt ski area last August, an Ashburton inquest cowas told today.

Coroner Richard McElrea found that Mr Donaggio, 30, died from traumatic head injuries on August 6 after he fell at the end of a slope and slid onto rocks before coming to a rest in a creek. He was not wearing a helmet.

Mr McElrea heard that Mr Donaggio had been with two friends and was approaching the end of the international trail to traverse to the bottom of the triple chairlift when he lost control and began sliding face first down the mountain.

He was flown to Christchurch Hospital where he died later.

Mt Hutt Ski area manager Dave Wilson said the traverse was regularly used and this was the first major sliding incident in the area that he knew of.

"It was very surprising to see a slide of this length and it is something we did not expect to happen at all," he said.

As usual procedure, a ski patroller had checked the area in the morning and found some icy patches so added warning signs for skiers and snowboarders.

There were several signs along the route warning of the icy patches, which were deemed not significant enough to prevent the area opening.

Mr McElrea said there was no suggestion that the ski patroller could be considered responsible for the outcome.

- NZPA