Avalanche watch saves lives

A personal crusade prompted by the death of a friend led to an innovative avalanche control programme for the Milford Road in Fiordland that marked 25 years of successful operation yesterday.

The death of Robert "Pop" Andrew in an avalanche in 1983 was the catalyst for the programme.

It was started by the Ministry of Works after Andrew's co-worker and friend, Wayne Carran, who witnessed the accident, became determined such deaths should not happen again.

Since then, there have been no deaths or injuries because of an avalanche on the 119km-long road.

Transport Minister Annette King yesterday unveiled a plaque on a three-tonne rock to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the programme, thanking managers Wayne and Ann Carran for ensuring the safety of motorists and the economic viability of the region.

"Often, in the bleakest weather conditions, you are out there keeping this programme going, keeping this area safe."

With more than one million tourists visiting Milford Sound each year and up to 1500 vehicles on the road a day, hundreds of thousands of dollars are pumped into the local economy each day the road remains open.

After a bus ride to The Chapel, near the Homer Tunnel, Ann Carran said they took on the programme as a personal crusade after Andrew's death, to prevent further fatalities.

"I think of him every day really," Wayne Carran said.

"There are various things that don't go away."

The Carrans were honoured with Queen's Service Medals in the Queen's Birthday honours list.

Coach driver Noel Jackson, who drove officials and dignitaries to the Upper Hollyford Valley yesterday, lived through an avalanche on the road in 1984.

He was driving a Bedford bus carrying 64 passengers near the Homer Tunnel when the avalanche hit, in the same place where Andrew had died a year earlier.

"People were crying and screaming and the bus was shaking."

The worst of the snow and debris missed the bus.

Jackson, a veteran of more than 5000 return trips to Milford Sound over 35 years, said yesterday the avalanche crews did a marvellous job.

"At least you feel safe now."

Tourism operator Real Journeys, which has six vessels cruising Milford Sound, relies heavily on the programme.

The company's Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound area manager of operations, Paul Norris, said that in winter he was in touch with its managers up to four times a day.

"From the company's point of view, it's crucial."

The programme uses snow and weather-monitoring stations to assess the risk and explosives are dropped by helicopter on avalanche paths to hasten nature's work.

- © Fairfax NZ News