‘‘It could have been so much worse’’

• Published date: 25 January 2024
• Publication title: Mountain Scene

Mountain Scene sales manager Martin Cheifetz says his son, Nicolas, 18, was with his mum, Jo, siblings and extended family enjoying an idyllic summer day

Having just passed his full driver’s test in Alexandra, Nicolas linked up with the rest of his family to walk their dog along the Arrow River when he spotted a rope swing near the bridge providing access to Tobin’s Track.

‘‘He ran at the rope swing, he was swinging, out at full extension, legs first over the river, and lost his grip.’’

Martin says it happened so quickly no one had time to even caution the talented young golfer, due to head to the University of Auckland next month.

Nicolas fell, head-first, from a height of about 3 metres, landing on the rocky bank beside the river.

He was ‘‘unconscious, white and convulsing’’, Martin says.

Expecting to hear from wife, Jo, about 2pm to finalise a plan to meet up, Martin says she was ‘‘very calm’’ when she called.

‘‘She said to me, ‘so, there’s been a...