What it's like to survive a volcano: White Island brings back memories for Mt Ruapehu survivor

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

William Pike knows all too well what it's like to be caught up in a volcanic eruption.

In 2007, Pike and his friend climbed Mt Ruapehu when the mountain unexpectedly erupted, trapping him beneath debris from a lahar. Pike was left attered and bruised, and coming to terms with losing his leg just below the knee.

William Pike says having support from friends and family can help those who have been injured by the White Island eruption have the best chance of getting their lives back on track.

When Pike heard about the eruption in of White Island in the Bay of Plenty which has killed at least five people on Monday, he said it struck a chord and brought back some tough memories.

'It has a huge wide-reaching effect and when you're dealing with an incident that's remote, there's going to be people in despair,' Pike said.

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In 2007, William Pike was climbing Mt Ruapehu when it unexpectedly erupted leading to him losing his leg, just below the knee.

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'The situation at White Island is extremely tough.'

Pike says 'the friends and family of those affected will need to rally around them and give as much time and support as they can ... I think that's going to give those people the best chance of getting their life back on track'.

Pike encouraged friends and family of the survivors of the eruption to pull together because their support could really help get injured people on the right track.

'The mental trauma can be just as much as the physical trauma in my experience.

White Island as seen from Whakatane at 2.30pm on Monday.

'It was having my friends and family which helped me with the mental side of the challenges I faced.'

When Pike woke up in hospital, his biggest struggle was the realisation that he had lost a leg, which made him wonder if he would work, explore and go on adventures again.

Leaving the safety and comfort of hospital and ending up back home was also a struggle.

'This was it and I was going to have to get on with my life - that there was the biggest kind of hurdle.'

Several years after his incident, Pike has gone back to Mt Ruapehu many times. He likes the quote: 'No one achieved anything great inside of their comfort zone.'

'My heartfelt condolences go out to those who are injured and missing.

'The friends and family of those affected will need to rally around them and give as much time and support as they can … I think that's going to give those people the best chance of getting their life back on track.

'I wish people all the best and if they want to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation, then get in contact.'