Kelsey Waghorn: White Island volcano survivor’s gruesome injuries revealed – as she relives the moment the world erupted in a deadly fireball, killing 22 around her and maiming 25 more

Kelsey Waghorn: White Island volcano survivor’s gruesome injuries revealed – as she relives the moment the world erupted in a deadly fireball, killing 22 around her and maiming 25 more

On the day of the disaster, the group paused near the island’s central streams, which meandered toward Crater Bay. These natural waterways were a familiar landmark, serving as a checkpoint to ensure everyone stayed together after navigating the terrain. The water’s distinct flavors also sparked conversation, with Kelsey explaining its sources—some mineral-rich, others sharp and acidic.

The eruption began without warning. As Kelsey was demonstrating how to taste the streams, the atmosphere shifted. Suddenly, the crowd erupted in chatter, pointing toward the sky. In that instant, she realized the chaos: the island was awakening.

22 Lives Lost, 25 Injured in Volcanic Outbreak

Kelsey, a 25-year-old tour guide, was among 47 visitors on New Zealand’s White Island when the eruption struck on December 9, 2019. She later penned a memoir detailing the event and its aftermath, including the harrowing injuries she sustained. A photograph from April 2020 captures her in the early stages of recovery, her legs still bearing the scars of the ordeal.

The eruption unleashed a catastrophic pyroclastic surge, claiming 22 lives and injuring 25 others. Two victims were never found, their remains lost beneath the volcanic debris. Kelsey’s account describes the surreal experience of time slowing as the disaster unfolded.

‘I heard someone say, “Wow!” and another exclaim, “Look at that!”‘

As the group scrambled for cover, Kelsey’s instincts kicked in. She sprinted 10 meters along the path, dodging boulders, and took refuge behind a rocky outcrop. The absurdity of the situation hit her—a moment that felt like a drill, yet was far from controlled. ‘This feels just like our drills. This is insane,’ she recalled.

The air above the island turned into a towering black-and-grey plume, surpassing the summit. Despite its beauty against the sky, the danger was immediate. No thunderous boom or tremor preceded the eruption; the only sound was the frantic calls of radios and Kelsey’s own shouts: ‘Everyone, with me! Run!’ Her training had taken over, guiding the group toward safety.

Pyroclastic Surge: A Lethal Wave

Kelsey’s knowledge of volcanic phenomena became critical. She understood that a pyroclastic surge—fast-moving, hot, and dense—was the worst-case scenario. It occurs when an eruption column collapses, sending a wave of ash, gas, and rock crashing down at ground level. The surge, she noted, was not a slow threat but a relentless force.

Minutes later, the surge reached the northern wall, advancing toward the group. ‘My exposed arms started to feel like they were on fire,’ she wrote in her book Surviving White Island. The right elbow, protected by her hands, remained unscathed, a small mercy in the face of devastation.

While some sought shelter behind other rocks, Kelsey remained close to her colleague Jake, who joined her at the outcrop. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ she reassured him, her voice steady despite the chaos. Yet, even as they braced for the worst, the seconds stretched into eternity.

An aerial image from the rescue mission reveals the New Zealand Defence Force’s efforts to retrieve bodies from the volcanic landscape, underscoring the scale of the tragedy. Kelsey’s story, both harrowing and resilient, stands as a testament to the day’s sudden, deadly transformation.