A disabled schoolboy who died alongside five classmates and a teacher in a river tragedy near Turangi was a Special Olympian who competed in an athletics event this month.
Tom Hsu had cerebral palsy and would have turned 17 on Thursday. The Taiwanese international pupilwas one of seven people from Elim Christian College to die in a flash flood while “canyoning” in Mangatepopo Stream on Monday.
Staff from the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre, which had organised the excursion, spoke to pupils at Elim yesterday then held a private meeting with bereaved parents.
Deputy principal Gary Johnstone said Tom had been involved in Special Olympics since last year, competing in athletics and ten pin bowling.
The teacher who died in the canyoning trip, Tony McClean, had accompanied Tom to athletics meets and is thought to have died trying to carry him to safety.
Mr Johnstone said Tom joined a group of pupils and teachers on an overnight tramp in the Kaimai Range just this month, carrying a full tramping pack.
“His coordination wasn’t the best, but he certainly gave things a go.
“He was brilliant. He had quite a neat sense of humour and would take things in his stride. He was aware of his limitations but he gave it a go.”
This week had been a sad time but the school was in good heart, Mr Johnstone said.
Story curtesy of LANE NICHOLS and KIM RUSCOE – The Dominion Post | Sunday, 20 April 2008