Snow Cave Collapse

At about 4.50 pm on Thursday the 22nd of August 2013, a group were snow caving near Delta Corner at the Whakapapa Ski Field, Mt Ruapehu.

One of the caves containing two teenage boys collapsed burying them both.

Emergency services were called and National Park Police initiated a rescue operation involving staff from Ruapehu Alpine Lifts, St Johns Ambulance and the Ruapehu Alpine Rescue Organisation.

Other members of the party witnessed the collapse and were able to render immediate assistance.

The first boy was excavated within a few minutes and the second only a couple of minutes later.

An alpine trained St Johns paramedic was driven to site on a skidoo to provide medical assistance.

Fortunately both boys had good air pockets and suffered no injuries from the incident.

National Park Police will be talking to members of the party this morning to clarify exactly what happened.