Erebus victims' relatives arrive in Antarctica

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 6:02p.m.

By Adam Ray

Relatives of the Erebus victims finally have closure within their grasp - a small group has landed on the Antarctic ice and is heading toward the crash site.

Families of Erebus victims have waited a long time for this, and as their set foot on ice they were struck by the landscape that drew their relatives here 30 years ago.

Only six could make the trip because of the difficulty of getting to the ice – the group aware that they are there not just for their own families, but for everyone who lost a loved one on Mt Erebus.

“I realise I am carrying more than my own self, but it feels good, it feels right,” says Eric Houghton, a son of one of the Erebus victims.

Antarctica is notorious for its hostile weather but the group arrived in bright sunshine and calm weather, with clear views of the mountain that claimed 257 lives.

The group were due to make the 30-minute helicopter flight to the crash site about now, with reps of the airline and Antarctica New Zealand.

Five years ago the wreckage could still be seen but no one knows if it will be visible today.

“We haven’t had any visitation to the area for some time, so we won’t know until we get into the area this evening,” says Simon Trotter of Antarctica New Zealand.

Tomorrow the group will be part of a remembrance ceremony at Scott Base, linked by video to similar events in Auckland and Christchurch – marking 30 years to the day since flight 901 crashed.

3 News

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.