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View of Mt Erebus - Source: ONE News -
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What a day - it's been a roller coaster of emotions for everyone.
Erebus is the reason a whole lot of us have ended up in this wild and beautiful place. Most of us had never been before but here we are on this incredible journey together.
Before their plane touched down I thought about how brave these three men and three women were. Each of them have a different story. Their journeys have all been different. Some have been private, some public. Now they're being asked to share their grief. To share with the rest of the country their pain and heartache and their treasured memories. Waiting on the runway, watching the giant C-17 inch closer, telling their stories felt like a huge responsibility .
Because of where the crash occurred and because of the controversy surrounding it, the grieving process for all Erebus families has stretched out over 30 years.
The six family representatives stepped off the plane and the first thing they saw was the mountain that's had such a huge impact on their lives.
Erebus looked stunning. They were amazed by the vastness of the Antarctic and its beauty. After travelling nearly 4000 kilometres the smiles on their faces said it all.
We didn't get to the crash site today , 40 knots winds prevented us from landing. But we had an amazing flight. Four family members were in the first helicopter, I was in the second chopper with Eric Houghton and Philip Keenan. We all had our private thoughts as we circled the site. Eric was thinking about his father John. Philip was remembering a sister. Dianne was one of the flight crew and her body was never found.
There was no wreckage to be seen today. It was buried in the vast expanse of snow and ice. Looking out on the pristine scene it was hard to imagine that something so shocking, so catastrophic happened there 30 years ago.
On the way back Eric and Philip thanked our American pilot, said how much they appreciated the flight. It would've been nice to land, to stand there in silence and think about those who died and those who still remain there. But Eric and Philip told the pilot that just being able to see the site has helped. As the pilot points out, when it comes to the weather in the Antarctic, we are just observers. He's offered to come back, maybe try and take them out on again on Monday.
So we left the northern slopes of Mt Erebus as we found them. No
footprints, no trace yet that anyone has even been visiting.
What are your memories of the Erebus tragedy? Have you got
a message to share with the families. Comment on our
messagboard.
Add a Comment:
Post new commentPaulNZ said on 2009-11-28 @ 18:12 NZDT: Report abusive post
For someone whom has lost 2 on the flight a fly by whislt nice would not cover it. Air NZ have given 6 the opportunity which is all that could logistically be able to to contend with in the location which is not like its downtown. I commend Air NZ for the opportunity they have provided even though its for a few. It was a NZ tradegy and my feeling was New Zealand failed to look after those that were affected and no single company or person can be blaimed.
martins_chc_nz said on 2009-11-28 @ 12:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
I find it odd how little credit has been given to the US Antarctic Program for their involvement in this event. It was their plane, not Air New Zealand, or Antarctica NZ who flew the family members down to the ice. And all credit to Mike Pero, good on you mate. Why Air new Zealand would not send ALL the families down is just questionable beyond belief. Are those 6 more important than the others or is it simply yet another occurance of corporate greed being more important than compassion.
chrispy said on 2009-11-26 @ 16:20 NZDT: Report abusive post
I believe Air New Zealand should start looking at its self with regardsa to be respectful. I took this so called iconic company 30 years to get up the guts to appologise, that is if you can call that episode an appology. Good on Mike Pero. Air New Zealand should put on a flight for All the Families, who lost loved ones, Feee of Any Cost..!!!
Lulu45 said on 2009-11-26 @ 10:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think the gesture is great, however, Air New Zealand should be taking all the families that suffered this tragedy down and they should be apologising for the errors that were made - 30 years on the wounds are still raw and it is time to heal
Mananan said on 2009-11-26 @ 08:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think Mike is just giving more people who lost someone a chance to see the site. Air New Zealand, if you really cared, you would fill up an enitre aircraft of family and friends of the victims for free, rather than the pathetic effort of 6 that you have done.