Victims of 1 in 50-year event

The avalanche which killed SQNLDR Peter Szypula, FSGT Michelle Hackett and her daughter Kathleen occurred on the trekking route between Machhapuchare Base Camp and Deurali .

SQUADRON Leader Peter Szypula, Flight Sergeant Michelle Hackett and her daughter Kathleen were the victims of a one in 50-year avalanche, according to a Military Board of Inquiry into the Army Alpine Association’s conduct of Exercise Everest 2001.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy announced the findings into the trio’s deaths in the Annapurna region of Nepal on March 24, 2001.

“This was a tragic event caused by an avalanche from the heights of the Hiunchuli Mountain during the first phase of the expedition, which was designed to assist the acclimatisation of the participants,” LTGEN Leahy said.

The Board made no findings of fault on the part of the deceased, who were the victims of a massive avalanche.

The Board received evidence from an eminent New Zealand academic and glaciologist, Dr Ian Owens, that the avalanche was of a glacial-ice nature. This type of avalanche is unpredictable and can happen at any time.

Dr Owens visited the avalanche site and described this particular avalanche as a one in 50-year event.

LTGEN Leahy said adverse recommendations were made against individuals in respect to the management of the exercise.

“As a result, administrative action will be initiated against these members. However, it is important to note that no offences have been committed,” he said.

“The report also highlighted the excellent work of a large number of individuals and agencies for their support to Defence.”

In dealing with these matters the Board made a number of adverse findings that were accepted by the Chief of Army.

• The medical planning for the exercise and subsequent review by Army Headquarters Training Command were inadequate.
• There were a number of deficiencies in the process whereby approval for the conduct of the expedition was obtained from Commander Training Command.
• Policy documentation relating to the approval process changed without notice to some of the principal participants.
  
• The Army Alpine Association was not consulted about the changes and was not advised of them.
• Army Headquarters Training Command incorrectly advised the Army Alpine Association that the conduct of the exercise had been approved when it had only been approved in principle.
• When the mounting instruction was finally submitted Headquarters Training Command had only three weeks to complete its review before the expedition was due to leave Australia.
• Commander Training Command and his staff were not advised that family members were to accompany the expedition and participate on the trek.
• Army Headquarters Training Command concentrated on the climbing phase of the expedition and gave inadequate consideration to the acclimatisation phase.
• There were deficiencies in the risk assessment process, but these deficiencies did not cause or partly cause the deaths.
• There were deficiencies in the procedures followed when it became necessary to advise the next of kin of the deceased about relevant events.
  

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