Photo: Supplied/ University of Canterbury
A survivor of the Whakaari/White Island disaster has told a court he was unaware of how dangerous the island was, ahead of taking his fateful trip.
The second week of a trial over alleged health and safety failings on the island in the lead-up to the eruption is underway at Auckland District Court.
The three owners of the volcanic island and three companies are facing charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act. It is alleged they failed to take sufficient steps to prevent serious injury or death.
Twenty-two people died in the disaster, with 25 others left seriously injured.
Jesse Langford, then 19 and now in his early 20s, survived the tragedy that claimed the lives of his father, mother and sister, with burns to most of his body.
In a pre-recorded video he described a lack of information about any dangers for tourists visiting the active volcano.
Langford described the volcano's eruption like "a sandstorm you see in movies", saying he had no idea the trip "could be dangerous or harmful in any way".
He was in the middle of his tour group as the island erupted, and said at first, people were taking photos as smoke rose from the crater.
"It wasn't until [the guide] told us to run that the terror broke out, and everyone was screaming and running."
He said he tried to hold his breath for as long as possible, and breathing in the hazardous ash was painful, "like swallowing hot water into your lungs".
Judge Evangelos Thomas is presiding over the judge-alone trial into the Whakaari / White Island eruption. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro
Langford said he struggled to see as he tried to make his way to safety.
"I could still see, but I had crap in my eyes and all around my face that made it harder."
He described skin falling off his body, as he left those who were not moving behind.
Langford said had he known the danger, he would not have gone onto the island.
The trial was set to continue on Wednesday.
