Erebus remembered in Antarctica

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 6:22p.m.

By Adam Ray

Family members of Erebus victims hugged and wept today at a memorial ceremony in Antarctica, marking thirty years to the day since Flight T901 crashed.

The emotional scenes were repeated in Auckland and Christchurch, with hundreds gathering to remember the 257 lives that were lost.

United by the grief of losing a loved one on Mt Erebus, the families of crash victims hugged each other as the service concluded.

Three decades after the crash, there is still anguish for those left behind.

A special service at Scott Base included songs and prayers for the 257 who died.

The group of six who have travelled to Antarctica for the anniversary are there on behalf of all those who lost family in the crash.

One of the visitors to Antarctica, Fran Kell, says, “It’s been really good getting together because before this weekend I'd never met anyone else who lost somebody in that accident.”

Outside the flag at Scott Base was lowered and a minutes silence observed at the moment when the plane crashed 30 ago.

Daughter of Erebus pilot Captain Jim Collins, Pip Collins, says the memory of Erebus will never disappear.

“The tragedy's cast a very long shadow which I don't think will ever disappear, but this has certainly helped coming here seeing this firsthand.”

The group were taken to Mt Erebus in helicopters yesterday; it was their first chance to the see the crash site.

Pip Collins says she thinks about the crash all the time.

“All the time, thinking of my dad, thinking of the families, thinking of the recovery team who spent so much time there.”

Strong winds stopped them from landing on the mountain but they were happy with what they could – or could not – see from the air.

“Amazing that there's no wreckage to see none at all, in a way we hope it stays that way its probably time it was buried,” Fran Kell says.

Officials hope to make another attempt to land at the Erebus site on Monday the group say their time on the ice has already helped ease their grief.

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