Teen's death no one's fault

Westport coroner Peter Roselli says he is not going to blame anyone for the death of Christchurch teenager Elon Oved.

Mr Roselli found that 14-year-old Elon died of hypothermia about December 1 last year after getting lost in the bush.

Elon was with fellow members of a Christchurch Jehovah's Witness congregation when he disappeared during an overnight tramping trip to Lake Daniells, between Springs Junction and Maruia Springs, in Buller.

He was last seen alive when he left a hut to change out of wet clothing.

His body was found 10 weeks later near the Alfred River, about three hours walk from the hut.

Mr Roselli did not make any specific recommendations, but said better education might lessen the risk of another death, given the increasing numbers of people visiting New Zealand and going into the bush every year.

"This type of death is easily preventable by the application of some common-sense safety regulations and a hard-hitting education programme.

He said people venturing into the bush needed to be acutely aware of the dangers for the unwary.

"There does appear to be a culture of creeping casualness being created."

Safety issues for school trips and camps had greatly improved with the introduction of Occupational Safety and Health policies, but it appeared this culture had not yet reached people organising private outings, he said.

Mr Roselli said he was not criticising the tramp's organiser but photos of the tramp's three youngest members, including Elon, showed the boys in an inflatable dinghy not wearing life-jackets. Other evidence said most of the adult members were not there at the time.

"It has been said Elon was a very strong swimmer and exceptionally fit. However, if it had been a school trip he would have to comply with OSH requirements. He would have been supervised and a whole plan for the walk would have been prepared."

Mr Roselli said Elon, who was a shy boy with high moral values, would have succumbed quickly to hypothermia due to heavy rain, the fact he was lightly clad and that he had not eaten for some time.

- NZPA