Thredbo Coroner’s Report
Abstract
It was with great intentions of learned endeavour, and the somewhat lofty, self-opinionated belief that there was a need for an astute summarisation, that I set out a few weeks ago to read the Report of the inquest into the deaths arising from the Thredbo landslide. I wanted to find out what caused the tragedy, what lessons could be learned and applied to our practice here in NZ and what messages should be preached to other professionals and those responsible for slope management.
After all, it was a tragic event and it is a horrifying thought that so many people lost their lives as a direct consequence of a geotechnical failure. How many of us have not thought, "There but for the grace of God"?
Author
Grant Murray
Sinclair Knight Merz
Auckland New Zealand