Garth Varcoe instructing fire training at Tekapo

Antarctica NZ Data

Image Number91-169

About

DescriptionGarth Varcoe instructing fire training at Tekapo.DepictsGarth VarcoePhotographerChris RudgeSeason1990-1991Date Taken1990-1991 SeasonOriginalFilmNo. People1LocationTekapo

Reference

KeywordTaxonomy (OLD)Living and Working|Training|Notes Helicopter crash on 13 October 1992| New Zealanders Garth Varcoe and Terry Newport were killed in a helicopter crash 40 km from Scott Base. They were returning to McMurdo Station in a US Navy helicopter after rebuilding the hut at a summer research station| Cape Bird. The weather deteriorated during their journey and the helicopter struck an icy slope above a 10 m ice cliff. Varcoe| Newport and Ben Micou| a US Navy helicopter mechanic| were thrown from the helicopter and killed as it slid towards the rocks below. The pilot and co-pilot| also of the US Navy| survived but lay waiting for help| rescue efforts hampered by poor visibility. Newport| a summer carpenter| had only worked in Antarctica since August that year - fulfilling what was reportedly a longstanding ambition. Varcoe had a much longer Antarctic career - it was his 37th visit. His first was in 1978 as the buildings and services officer of the Antarctic Division of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. In 1990 Varcoe was awarded the Polar Medal in recognition of his contribution to the New Zealand Antarctic Research Programme

Linked To

Depicts

Garth Varcoe

Photographer

Chris Rudge

Location

Tekapo

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