Cave Creek disaster

- 42.071301171.44324Koordinaten: 42 ° 4 ' 17 "S, 171 ° 26' 36" E

The Cave Creek disaster occurred on 28 April 1995, as an observation deck in the New Zealand Paparoa National Park collapsed due to various causes. On the platform 17 people who all rushed about 30 meters in a water course and the surrounding rocks were. Because of the fall and the long period of time before help arrived, 14 people died, only three survived the accident. As a result of the accident detailed investigations by the Department of Conservation (DOC) were introduced in order to reduce the likelihood of a similar event zuträgt again. The main cause is still controversial, although the result of a commission of inquiry revealed several possible causes. No one has been found responsible for immediately.

Background

The observation deck, which coincided, was at that time in the Paparoa National Park, on the western coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It was positioned directly above the place where a watercourse ( Cave Creek ) from a subterranean cave system emerges. The platform was constructed by DOC staff, who are also responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of all national parks in New Zealand.

Sequence of events

On the morning of April 28, 1995, a group of college students off on a research trip. They were among the Tai Poutini Polytechnic in Greymouth. They split up in several groups to migrate one of them with the intention to Cave Creek viewing platform. When they arrived at the platform, 17 people of the group huddled on the deck to watch the river and the views. It was reported later that some of the group began to worry about the stability of the platform jokes. In order to "test" the security of the platform to some students began to jumping up and down ( a well-designed platform should be able to withstand such an activity ). At this moment, the substructure of the platform collapsed. She fell forward, and fell immediately afterwards into the gorge. The 17 people who were on it are thrown down to the platform. There were four other members of the group were not on the platform at the time of the accident. Two of these people returned to their car to call for help by radio. When they reached the car, they found that they could not properly use the radio, so asked a student at a nearby house for help. The two people who stayed at the place, had now found a way to the scene to help the survivors. In the meantime, it was one of the students managed to call the police. Several rescue teams were used: the police, fire and ambulance, along with local DOC Rangers and other staff in the area with helicopters. The two members of the group immediately tried to help the survivors had found several victims alive, and ( in many cases) still conscious. Despite the efforts of those who helped, and by the rescue teams that arrived later, only four survived the accident people.

Committee of inquiry

After Cave Creek accident, a committee of inquiry was held to determine what exactly happened, and who - should be held accountable - if ever. It was also important to determine strategies that can prevent a similar accident. The investigation found that no one can be held accountable directly. The fault lay with the Government, as the safe construction of the platform has not been verified. Nevertheless, no one has been held directly responsible. It was found that the accident was caused by an unfortunate chain of different causes. These causes include misunderstandings, the combination fractures of communication, and the failure of important measures were not implemented. A lack of funding was not primarily mentioned as a major cause. The State Services Commission found that DOC had then acted in accordance with regulations, but strategies for risk management were inadequate. The building codes from the Building Act 1991 and the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 have not been implemented, and it was decided that additional funding after the accident between 1998 and 2000 should be given to DOC. The main cause was found: that the observation deck was not constructed correctly construction law. This led to the eventual failure of the structure, with disastrous consequences. The committee of inquiry identified six additional primary causes:

• No qualified type approval or building permit
• No qualified inspection of the construction project
• Lack of compliance with statutory requirements
• Lack of regular inspections after construction
• Deficient official Warnschilde, who warned against the potential risk
• Everywhere failure of preventive measures and systems

Other consequences

The Department of Conservation has become generally more sensitive to risk; a much larger sum of money is now provided to the Department by the government are available, and a special effort is now operated to examine all the DOC associated structures. In the period 2004-2012 the DOC 82 million dollars were given by the government for the improvement and preservation of New Zealand farms. During the three months that followed the accident, there were large changes in DOC and a reconsideration of all DOC buildings was demanded by the government. In total, more than 2,000 buildings were checked again to ensure their safety. In addition, more than 12,500 meters were tested hiking trails and 80 specialized engineers hired to verify the safety standards. The intensive examination of buildings, still continues today; all buildings are now every 2 years by DOC staff checked, and all those constructions that are considered as " risky ", every 6 years to be checked by a qualified engineer. The former observation platform at Cave Creek was not rebuilt. At the scene of an accident, there are only a fence and a warning sign, although the road was rebuilt and reopened. A memorial plaque was unveiled in April 1996.