Teacher Recalls Terror During Fatal School Caving Trip

Testimony On Fatal Caving Incident

During a coroner’s inquest, a teacher provided a harrowing account of a school outdoor education trip to Abbey Caves on May 9, 2023. The excursion, involving Year 11 students, ended in tragedy when a flash flood occurred, resulting in the drowning of 15-year-old Karnin Petera. While 16 other students and two adults survived, the event has left a lasting impact on those involved.

The teacher, who is under a non-publication order, described the initial stages of the trip as normal. Students were excited to explore the underground environment and observe glow worms on the cave walls. Although an orange heavy rain warning had been issued for the Northland region, the local forecast for Whangárei suggested only light rain for that morning. To account for expected heavy rain later in the afternoon, the group started earlier and limited their exploration to a single cave, Organ Cave, instead of the usual three.

The Sudden Flash Flood

The teacher noted that he had previously explored Organ Cave after Cyclone Gabrielle to learn how it was affected by heavy rain and found the water to be only knee-deep. When the group entered, there was only a light drizzle. However, as the students prepared to navigate a narrow section known as The Squeeze, the teacher noticed the stream rising and the sound of rushing water increasing. He immediately decided to end the trip.

As the group neared the exit, the water levels rose with extreme speed, moving from waist-deep to neck-deep within seconds. The teacher described the current as a raging torrent that made exiting the cave nearly impossible. He used his own body to block the flow of water, lifting students over his shoulder to help them climb out. At the entrance, students struggled to pull themselves over a large boulder, which he described as near impossible. Some students panicked and inadvertently pushed others underwater as they fought to get on top of the rock.

In a desperate attempt to save a student who was completely submerged with only the top of his helmet showing, the teacher was pulled under by the current. He testified that he felt he was going to die, recalling vivid memories of his childhood and a strong image of his wife and children while struggling to find a hold. He eventually managed to push off the bottom by grabbing a gumboot and wedging his foot into a crack, allowing him to reach the surface and pull himself onto a boulder.

After securing himself, the teacher climbed back into the cave along the wall to rescue two more students trapped on a ledge. Once the group gathered partway up the hill for a headcount, they realized Karnin was missing. The teacher expressed deep devastation over the loss, stating the event had shaken him to his core and caused him to break down.

Aftermath And Proposed Safety Changes

Following the incident, it was revealed that rainfall intensity reached 30mm per hour after the group entered the cave, significantly higher than the forecast of 0.5-1.7mm per hour. This unpredictability has led the teacher to leave the field of outdoor education, as he no longer feels weather forecasts can be fully relied upon to ensure student safety during extreme weather events. He noted that flooding now occurs with little or no warning, even when conditions appear safe despite alerts.

To prevent similar tragedies, the teacher proposed several systemic changes for education outside the classroom. He suggested the implementation of standardized documentation free from ambiguous wording and the appointment of a coordinator with the authority to cancel trips on the day. He also called for a single, nationally recognized weather forecaster for outdoor education to eliminate conflicting information and provide better staff education on interpreting data.

Furthermore, he recommended that specific weather alerts, such as an orange rain warning, should serve as an automatic trigger to cancel all water-related activities. He emphasized the need for strictly adhered-to supervision ratios and ensuring that all programs are led by properly qualified and experienced staff. The inquest continues with further evidence from school representatives and health and safety managers.