Iceaxe
08-11-2009, 02:24 PM
'Traumatised' canyoning guide leaves for US
The guide in the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy that cost the lives of six students and a teacher has left New Zealand for a new job at a summer camp in the United States.
Jodie Sullivan, 27, was working at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in April last year when the Elim Christian College group she was guiding was hit by a flash flood in Tongariro National Park.
"Deeply traumatised" by the tragedy, she left the centre last month and has taken a job as a co-facilitator at Camp America, which meant she would not be solely responsible for children's safety, The Herald on Sunday reported today.
"She is doing her best to get her life back on track," her lawyer, William McCartney, said.
Ms Sullivan attended the funerals of the victims last year but did not take part in restorative justice meetings. However, she would be willing to talk to the families on her eventual return to New Zealand, Mr McCartney said.
"She is just not emotionally up to it at this stage."
Camp America was aware of the Mangatepopo accident and was supportive of Ms Sullivan, he said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2733982/Traumatised-canyoning-guide-leaves-for-US
The guide in the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy that cost the lives of six students and a teacher has left New Zealand for a new job at a summer camp in the United States.
Jodie Sullivan, 27, was working at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre in April last year when the Elim Christian College group she was guiding was hit by a flash flood in Tongariro National Park.
"Deeply traumatised" by the tragedy, she left the centre last month and has taken a job as a co-facilitator at Camp America, which meant she would not be solely responsible for children's safety, The Herald on Sunday reported today.
"She is doing her best to get her life back on track," her lawyer, William McCartney, said.
Ms Sullivan attended the funerals of the victims last year but did not take part in restorative justice meetings. However, she would be willing to talk to the families on her eventual return to New Zealand, Mr McCartney said.
"She is just not emotionally up to it at this stage."
Camp America was aware of the Mangatepopo accident and was supportive of Ms Sullivan, he said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2733982/Traumatised-canyoning-guide-leaves-for-US