Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Awards

Two New Zealanders who came to the aid of two climbers who had fallen 250m in the Mt Aspiring National Park are to receive Royal Humane Society of New Zealand Silver Awards from the Societys' Patron, the Governor-General, Hon Anand Satyanand, today (12 February).

Erik Bradshaw and Christine Ryan, of Queenstown, will receive their awards at Government House in Wellington at 3.30pm.

Mr Bradshaw and Ms Ryan came to the aid of two Irish climbers, Donal Deery and Helen McClements, who fell about 250m on the Cascade Saddle in Mt Aspiring National Park on 12 January 2005.  Dr Deery died at the scene of his injuries but Ms McClements survived despite sustaining serious injuries.

Mr Bradshaw and Ms Ryan, without technical equipment, climbed down a dangerously steep and difficult face to reach the two climbers, who were some distance apart. Each injured climber was placed in a sleeping bag.  Mr Bradshaw tended to the injured unconscious Dr Deery and Ms Ryan to the injured, and still conscious, Ms McClements.  Dr Deery soon stopped breathing and Mr Bradshaw started CPR, which he continued till the rescue team arrived 50 minutes later. 

The award citation says: "By responding as they did to the situation in which they found themselves, and without thought for their own safety, Erik Bradshaw and Christine Ryan made a significant contribution to the eventual rescue of one of the victims of this tragedy and were able to bring assistance, both physical and emotional, to them both."

Dr Deerys' parents have travelled from Belfast in Northern Ireland to attend todays' presentation.

In its 109 years the Society has bestowed about 2000 awards for acts of bravery where the rescuers have put their own lives at risk in going to the assistance of others whose lives are in peril. Some 205 silver medals have been issued to date.