A camper at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park recalls the events leading up to the deadly landslide, revealing that a local council representative had driven past three slips just hours before the tragedy. The woman, who was alerted by victim Lisa Maclennan, tried to contact emergency services multiple times in the early morning hours.
She shared images of the initial slips and described the chaos that ensued after Maclennan’s warning. Despite efforts to alert authorities, the landslide struck, claiming the lives of several individuals, including Maclennan and her husband.
The woman’s account sheds light on the lack of immediate response from emergency services and the need for better preparation during severe weather warnings. She commends Maclennan for her bravery and quick thinking in ensuring the safety of others before the tragic event unfolded.
In retrospect, she emphasizes the importance of having staff present at campgrounds during emergencies to prevent such devastating incidents from occurring in the future.
As the community mourns the loss of loved ones, the woman reflects on the emotional toll of the past days and the impact it has had on all those involved.
Feeling of Gratitude and Sorrow After Tragic Landslide
Reflecting on the recent landslide incident, one survivor expressed a mix of emotions, feeling lucky to have escaped unharmed, grateful for the timely wakeup call from Lisa, and deeply saddened for the families who lost loved ones.
When approached by RNZ, the Tauranga City Council and police declined to comment on the woman’s account, stating that a thorough examination of the events leading up to the tragedy would be conducted once recovery efforts are completed and the site is deemed stable.
Police confirmed that a 111 call reporting a slip near Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park was received, but as it did not pose an immediate threat to life or property, Fire and Emergency NZ notified the Council, who are the landowners of the camping ground.
Tauranga City Council initially denied receiving the 111 call, but later confirmed that the call was indeed received by their Contact Centre. The confusion was attributed to information being logged in different departments within the council.
Following the tragic landslide at Beachside Holiday Park, WorkSafe has indicated that they will be looking into the organizations responsible for the safety of individuals at the park to ensure they were meeting their health and safety obligations.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed support for a full, independent review of the landslide, acknowledging the legitimate concerns raised about the evacuation process.
