By Kloe Palmer
Relatives of those killed in the Erebus disaster say they were thrilled to be able to travel to Antarctica and they hope others will also be able to go.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force 757 ferried a plane-load to Scott Base yesterday to show them where their loved ones died 31 years ago.
For the 104 on board, yesterday’s trip to Antarctica was about seeing for the first time the environment that was the last thing their loved ones ever saw.
“It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see it; it was surreal, it was amazingly quiet, it was just fantastic,” says Rochelle Stevenson. “I think everyone was there on their own little mission, so it was great.”
“To go to that place that has so much significance to those families and perhaps have a better understanding of it and to see how beautiful, but how tragically harsh it can be,” says Tony Davies of the RNZAF.
For many, the trip brought closure.
“I think we were one of the lucky families; we got a body back but a lot of people didn't and for them it was like visiting the grave site,” says Ms Stevenson.
Relatives of 20 people who were killed missed out on this trip; when it comes to putting on another it's not money or resources posing restrictions – it's the elements.
“I think we are pretty lucky with the weather, that's the single biggest risk because of the remoteness you don't have many options down there but if the weather plays the game and it can be done,” Mr Davies says.
Yesterday the weather played half the game; the trip had to be cut short by two hours as the forecast changed unexpectedly.
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