'A much loved son and brother' who died on a school caving trip. There's been an outpouring of grief in Whangārei, where the 15-year-old was a student at Whangārei Boys High.
The caves that claimed his life are just a 10 minute drive from the school.
The whānau of the young man has thanked people for their love and support, and rescuers for bringing back his body.
Fifteen students, a teacher and an instructor were on the trip when the tragedy struck.
Multiple investigations are underway into how it happened and parents and locals want answers.
The principal of Whangārei Boys' High School says she is not in a position to provide answers about the caving tragedy out of respect for the whānau of the boy who died.
Ashleigh McCaull and cameraman Angus Dreaver are in Whangārei.
And as Checkpoint reporter Tom Taylor explains, WorkSafe has visited Whangārei Boys High School following another serious accident.
The incident was recorded in the school’s Board of Trustee minutes on Tuesday March 28.
Checkpoint has spoken to Principal Karen Gilbert Smith about the accident but she has declined to comment.
The board also approved other EOTC (education outside the classroom) trips but there was no record of an upcoming visit to Abbey Caves.
The board did not meet in April but is meeting tonight following yesterday’s caving tragedy.
