Helicopter Pilot Testifies in Trial Over New Zealand Volcano Eruption
CANBERRA, Australia — A helicopter pilot testified in court on Thursday about his harrowing experience during the eruption of a New Zealand volcano in 2019. Brian Depauw, along with two of his passengers, managed to escape serious injury by jumping into the ocean when the White Island volcano erupted, killing 22 people.
Depauw, a Belgian-born pilot who currently resides in Canada, appeared in the Auckland District Court as a witness in the trial of three tourism companies and three directors who are facing charges of safety breaches related to the December 9 disaster.
During his testimony, Depauw credited the water for saving their lives. He and his four German passengers were among the 47 people on White Island, also known as Whakaari, when the volcano erupted, releasing superheated gases. Most of the 25 survivors suffered severe burns.
Depauw, who had only been working for tour operator Volcanic Air for a few weeks, was on his first unsupervised flight with the company when the eruption occurred. He had jokingly told his passengers during safety instructions to follow him if they saw him run.
When the volcano erupted, the passengers initially wanted to return to the helicopter, but Depauw decided that the water was a safer option. He recalled seeing the plume of ash and debris heading towards them and instructed his passengers to run to the water.
Depauw and one of the couples managed to reach the water, but they were soon overtaken by ash. He described the moment he hit the water, saying, “The minute I hit the water, it went black. The ash came and obviously hit us, and I couldn’t see anything.”
After a few minutes underwater, Depauw saw some light through the ash and helped his two passengers, who had avoided burns, to a nearby boat. Unfortunately, the other couple did not make it to the water and suffered serious burns.
Photographs presented in court showed the extent of the damage caused by the eruption, with Depauw’s helicopter being blasted off its landing pad and its rotors bent.
During questioning, Depauw revealed that he had expected warning signs before the volcano erupted and was unaware that it had erupted as recently as 2016. He believed there would be time to evacuate the island if an eruption was imminent.
The trial, which is expected to last for 16 weeks, was adjourned on Thursday and will resume on Monday. The island’s owners and the tour operators involved have pleaded not guilty to all charges, while other tour operators have already pleaded guilty and will be fined at a later date. If convicted, each company faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million New Zealand dollars ($927,000), and each of the charged individuals faces a maximum fine of NZ$300,000 ($185,000).
What evidence does the defense present to support their argument that the eruption was unforeseeable and that the companies had taken reasonable safety measures
Appeared composed as he recalled the terrifying moments leading up to the eruption. He described how the group had landed on the island as part of a sightseeing tour and were exploring the crater when the volcano suddenly erupted, emitting a plume of ash and gas.
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Depauw quickly made the decision to head back to the helicopter. With limited time and visibility severely compromised, he guided his passengers through the thick ash cloud, praying they would reach safety.
However, as the group made their way towards the helicopter, they faced a new danger. The ash and gas had triggered a landslide, causing rocks and debris to rain down around them.
In a split-second decision, Depauw took charge and directed everyone to jump into the ocean, believing it was their best chance of survival. He knew they could not stay on the island any longer, as the eruption continued to intensify.
Miraculously, they all managed to reach the water, where they awaited rescue. They were eventually picked up by a boat and transferred to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
Depauw’s testimony is crucial in establishing whether the tourism companies and their directors followed safety protocols prior to the eruption. The court heard that warnings had been issued prior to the eruption, indicating an increased risk of volcanic activity. The prosecution argues that the companies failed to adequately inform and prepare tourists for the potential dangers.
The defense, however, argues that the eruption was unforeseeable and that the companies had taken reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their customers.
The trial, which began in May, is expected to continue for several weeks as the court examines a range of evidence and testimonies. If found guilty, the tourism companies and directors could face significant penalties and fines.
As for Depauw, he remains haunted by the events of that fateful day. While grateful to have survived, he is constantly reminded of those who lost their lives. His testimony not only provides vital information for the trial, but also serves as a tribute to the victims and a plea for improved safety measures in the tourism industry.
This pilot’s bravery and quick thinking in the face of danger is truly remarkable. Escaping a volcanic eruption by jumping into the ocean is nothing short of a miracle. Salute to this courageous individual for surviving such a terrifying ordeal.
What an incredible tale of survival! This helicopter pilot’s bravery and quick thinking in jumping into the ocean during the volcano eruption in New Zealand is truly remarkable. Their testimonial sheds light on the frightening nature of the incident, and serves as a reminder of the unpredictable power of nature.