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Home / Whanganui Chronicle

OPC chairman: We welcome scrutiny

By Simon Wood
Whanganui Chronicle·
15 Oct, 2008 12:33 PM2 mins to read

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The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuit Centre's chairman says the centre has always welcomed expert scrutiny and suggestions for improvement.
The Labour Department has signalled its intention to prosecute OPC following the death of six students and one teacher in the Mangatepopo Gorge last April.
The group ran into trouble after being
surprised by a flashflood while on a canyoning expedition.
OPC chair Rupert Wilson said the loss of seven lives was a tragedy and the department was doing what it thought was right.
"The safety of everyone at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre has always been and will always continue to be our paramount consideration.
"We believe that our risk analysis, safety and staff training systems are up to and, in many cases, exceed world best practice for the outdoor education industry."
These safety systems were being continuously reviewed, Mr Wilson said.
The department is bringing four charges against OPC. Two relate to its obligations to protect the group's instructor, an OPC employee.
The third relates to its obligation to ensure its employees' actions did not expose others to avoidable risks, and the fourth concerns its obligations to ensure the safety of other people in its workplace."
OPC could face a fine of up to $250,000, and reparation payments to the victim's families if found guilty.
Mr Wilson said the thoughts of OPC staff continued to be with the families of the victims.
"This has been a terrible time for everyone, and we have worked closely with the families and continue to be in regular contact with them and the school.
"We welcome the department's intention to have this case heard at the earliest date, as we are very conscious of the ongoing stress for the families and others involved."
The gorge where the accident happened has not been used since the tragedy and will remain off-limits for OPC activities, Mr Wilson said.

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