Hazards not identified – report into Muriwai firefighters’ deaths during cyclone

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Craig Stevens died from injuries he sustained the night Cyclone Gabrielle tore through Auckland. This photo is from his memorial service.

Abigail Dougherty/Stuff

Craig Stevens died from injuries he sustained the night Cyclone Gabrielle tore through Auckland. This photo is from his memorial service.

A report into deaths of two Muriwai volunteer firefighters during Cyclone Gabrielle has found Fire and Emergency New Zealand “did not identify landslides as a hazard that could harm its firefighters”.

In March, Fire and Emergency New Zealand launched an independent investigation into the deaths of the two volunteer firefighter, Craig Stevens and Dave van Zwanenberg.

Now, a report has found Stevens and van Zwanenberg “commenced a task without knowing they were exposing themselves to imminent and catastrophic risk”.

Stevens and van Zwanenberg died after the house they were in was hit by a landslide during a rescue and recovery mission on the night of February 13.

READ MORE:
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The pair had been part of a crew of volunteer firefighters investigating flooding in a house on Motutara Rd, when the landslide caused it to collapse.

A full rescue operation began, involving 10 crews from seven brigades and including Urban Search and Rescue, police and Hato Hone St John.

Loving father and husband Stevens was taken to hospital in a critical condition following the incident, however he later died.

Dave van Zwanenberg was missing for three days after the incident.

Supplied

Dave van Zwanenberg was missing for three days after the incident.

Van Zwanberg – a vet, pilot and father of two young children – was missing for three days before his body was recovered.

Fire and Emergency CEO Kerry Gregory said the tragedy was of the “work kind for the whole Fire and Emergency whānau” and promised the report would “identify all the factors that contributed to the tragic deaths”.

More to come.

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