Still waiting to hear 'I'm sorry'

WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard

A MOTHER'S GRIEF: Helen Peters after Alastair McWhannell, the man responsible for her daughter's death, was sentenced in the High Court at Palmerston North yesterday.

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The family of Catherine Peters is still waiting for the man responsible for her death to acknowledge his role in the tragedy and apologise.

The 18-year-old plummeted 20 metres to her death while bridge-swinging in Manawatu Gorge with fellow Massey University students in early 2009. The rope was never tied to her.

"The lack of any received apology or expression of remorse to us personally has been hard to bear," mother Helen Peters told Alastair Ross McWhannell, who threw the veterinary student off Ballance Bridge near Woodville on March 7, 2009.

For his "gross negligence", McWhannell was sentenced to 400 hours' community work by Justice Ronald Young at the High Court in Palmerston North yesterday.

The 48-year-old father and husband was ordered to pay the Peters emotional harm reparation of $10,000.

The family did not request a monetary penalty.

A jury took three hours to find the Crag Adventures director guilty of manslaughter, by failing to ensure his bridge-swing operation was safe, following a two-week trial last month.

In court yesterday, Justice Young acknowledged McWhannell's remorse but said it was negated by continued claims that he had pulled up the rope and tied it off.

"If that was so, Miss Peters would not have fallen to her death. Your refusal to accept full responsibility for what happened continues to cause Miss Peters' family anguish."

Defence lawyer Bruce Squire, QC, refuted the Crown's claim that McWhannell had not accepted responsibility.

McWhannell's position all along was that he was responsible, but not grossly negligent, Mr Squire said.

He explained strict bail conditions had prevented McWhannell from contacting the Peters family, though an apology letter, dated 2010, had been written, he said.

McWhannell's bridge swing operation had since ended and he had found new employment.

The Peters read their harrowing victim impact statements to a packed public gallery, including about 10 McWhannell supporters.

While holding back tears, Mrs Peters told the court McWhannell's inability to apologise had been distressing.

The "surest way" of showing remorse would have been an early admission of guilt, she said.

She spoke of her unrelenting grief and heartache.

"The world has become a duller place with her death in this totally avoidable and senseless tragedy."

Miss Peters' father Bosco described how his family's lives had changed for the worse.

"Grief is my new frame, the new canvas of my life. It is the lens through which I see everything.

"The image of Catherine falling, of the rope not being attached, haunts me – and this time I am unable, much as I have so often tried in my imagination, to be the dad that fixes it, double checks, that makes sure his treasured daughter is safe."

The lack of regulations for adventure and outdoor commercial ventures in New Zealand had "horrified" and "shocked" him.

"I live with the nightmare that Catherine's death was totally avoidable. I can physically feel the pain of her death at the base of my stomach."

Teenage brother Jonathan said every waking second was overshadowed by his sister's premature death. Catherine had been his friend, guide, adviser, mentor and role model, he said.

"When I needed a sister, Catherine was always there. Now she isn't."

Outside court the family, flanked by supporters, said they were learning to live without their "treasured" Catherine.

"We will continue to hold on to our special memories and honour Catherine – a stunning, funny, highly intelligent, wise, caring person; a person of integrity," they said.

Mr Peters would not comment on the Prime Ministerial Review of risk management and safety in the adventure and outdoor commercial sectors, but said they may do in the future.

"We do not want a single other family to go through a nightmare like this."

- © Fairfax NZ News