Inquest into death of Te Papa boss Seddon Bennington

The Dominion Post

WELL EQUIPPED: Police say that Seddon Bennington and his tramping companion Marcella Jackson were well-equipped.

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Te Papa boss Seddon Bennington had eight layers of clothing when he was found dead, a coroner's hearing in Palmerston North has heard.

The two-day hearing began at 1pm with accounts from two police officers and two civilians involved in the search for Dr Bennington, 61, and his 54-year-old family friend Marcella Jackson.

Both died of hypothermia while on a weekend tramp from Otaki Forks to Kime Hut on July 11.

Their bodies were found just off the track four days after they went missing - a kilometre short of the hut and about 300 metres apart.

Four search and rescue teams comprising 14 people carried out the search.

Sergeant Noel Bigwood, of Otaki Police, gave evidence this afternoon before Palmerston North corner Tim Scott.

He said Bennington was found with eight layers of clothing - wool and synthetic - which were in good quality, while his sleeping bag was more suited to indoor conditions than outdoor, Mr Bigwood said.

Ms Jackson was found with four layers of clothing and a new outdoor sleeping bag, but her jacket was more of a ski jacket than a tramping jacket, he said.

Twelve people were in the public gallery this afternoon, including Dr Bennington's ex-wife Frances and Ms Jackson's sister-in-law Jan Morgans.

Ms Bennington broke down into tears several times during the evidence.

The hearing will continue tomorrow with evidence from other trampers Dr Bennington and Ms Jackson met on their trip.

That will be followed by family and friends speaking about how experienced and prepared the pair were, as well as their attitude to tramping.

At an altitude of 1400 metres, Dr Bennington and Ms Jackson encountered 80kmh southerly winds that brought about snow, dropped temperatures to minus 20 degrees celsius and reduced visibility to almost zero.

Police had previously said they were not carrying a cellphone or locator beacon, but were otherwise well-equipped.

Dr Bennington was chief executive of Te Papa for 6 1/2 years.

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