Friends and colleagues are mourning the loss of a woman who tragically died in a climbing accident on Mount Ruapehu over the weekend. The woman, Wednesday Davis, was a marine ecology technician at the University of Auckland. She had also earned a Masters of Science in marine science.
Davis fell while climbing Mount Ruapehu on Saturday. She was climbing with friends at the time of the accident. Davis had been a part of the School of Biological Sciences technical team for a year and was known for her work in the seawater facility. She was also a leader of the university’s Marine Sciences Society and held several other leadership roles.
During this difficult time, the university expressed their condolences to Davis’s family, partner, friends, and colleagues. A post on the Auckland Response Team’s Facebook page described her loss as heartbreaking. They praised Davis for her significant contributions, dedication, and enthusiasm.
The University of Auckland Marine Science Society also paid tribute to Davis on their Facebook page, describing her as “a beautiful person inside and out”. They said she was the heart of their society and her loss has greatly saddened them all.
The accident occurred on the eastern side of Mount Ruapehu on Saturday around 11am. Davis slipped and fell a significant distance, sustaining serious injuries. Despite immediate response from emergency services, Davis unfortunately died at the scene.
Sergeant Shane McNally described the incident as tragic and emphasized the importance of understanding and preparing for the alpine environment. A rāhui, a temporary prohibition, was put in place on the eastern slopes of Mount Ruapehu above 2000 metres until Tuesday morning.
