Cave Creek lessons remembered 25 years on

28th April 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker

The Department of Conservation is highlighting the legacy of its safety systems as it remembers those killed in the Cave Creek platform collapse 25 years ago.

DOC director-general Lou Sanson said it was a failure of systems and processes that led to the platform collapse, but 25 years later the legacy of those who lost their lives endures.

Thirteen students from Tai Poutini Polytechnic and one DOC staff member died when a platform they were standing on collapsed into a chasm at Cave Creek in Paparoa National Park on April 28, 1995. Four other students who were on the viewing platform survived the 30-metre fall.

The Cave Creek Memorial

Those who died were students Catherine McCarthy, Abram Larmour, DeAnne Reid, Paul Chisholm, Scott Murray, Alison Blackman, AnneMarie Cook, Jody Davis, Peter Shaw, Barry Hobson, Matthew Reed, Kit Pawsey, Evan Stuart; and DOC Punakaiki field centre manager Stephen O’Dea.

“This horrendous event led to a massive overhaul in how DOC manages its visitor assets. There were also major improvements in health and safety requirements for government agencies throughout New Zealand,” Sanson said.

“It’s important we take time tomorrow to remember and reflect on the terrible tragedy of Cave Creek and ensure as a department and a nation we never forget the lessons learnt.

“I still vividly remember hearing the horrific news that a group of students and a DOC ranger had met such a tragic end on a DOC education trip.

“It took months for the enormity of the tragedy to sink in across the country as we discovered what had led to the loss of 14 young people, through the Cave Creek Commission of Inquiry.”

DOC had since implemented a number of leadership systems, processes and health and safety protocols to ensure the safety of visitors, staff, contractors and volunteers.

The safety measures included single point accountability, where no job starts without a team leader and someone was accountable for every decision; and systems leadership, which ensured the findings of the Cave Creek inquiry were embedded within DOC’s capital management, people management, biodiversity, and visitor management.

Sanson said the safety of visitors, staff, contractors and volunteers was a key priority for the department.

“I believe the work DOC did following the tragedy to regain the respect of the public, and most importantly to acknowledge the intense grief of our Cave Creek families, as some of the best mahi this organisation has ever done.

“Cave Creek changed DOC’s approach to health and safety. Systems have been put in place so all facilities managed by DOC are built well and receive an appropriate level of engineering, compliance and maintenance.”

An event to commemorate the anniversary for the families and DOC had been postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.