Last Thursday, a helicopter pilot testified in the court of New Zealand that he and two passengers successfully escaped a violent volcanic eruption back in 2019 by jumping into the waters.

Volcanic Eruption in White Island

Futurism reports that it was back in 2019 when the deadly disaster struck White Island, the most active volcano in New Zealand, situated in the north of the country's North Island. During this time, there were 47 tourists along with some tour guides that were exploring the island.

It was on December 9, 2019, when the active volcano intensely erupted and led to the deaths of 22 individuals, Insider reveals.

The BBC reports that the eruption was not totally unforeseeable, according to workplace regulators, but the tour operators were not prepared for it.

Saved by the Water

Now, the pilot revealed to the court that, along with two other passengers, he was able to escape the disaster virtually unscathed by jumping into the waters. As such, they did so shortly after the eruption took place. Aside from them, two other passengers were able to survive with severe burns after they failed to enter the water.

Brian Depauw, the helicopter pilot, explains that it was the water that saved them, CBS News reports. Depauw shared that he had been working for Volcanic Air for around three to four weeks when the volcano burst. This was also his first unsupervised flight.

Upon the volcano's eruption, the passengers wanted to go back to the helicopter. Depauw decided, however, that going for the water was safer. Depauw and a couple were able to cross 492 to 656 feet to the water before ash overtook them, CBS News adds.

He recounts that right when he hit the water, things went black as the ash overcame them. He was unable to see anything as he stayed underwater, trying to hold his breath while waiting for some light to pierce through the ash.

Depauw then aided the two passengers, who successfully avoided burns, to ride a boat. Both of them found it difficult to see as the woman's contact lenses got scratched while the man lost his glasses.

The couple that was unable to get into the water experienced severe burns, Depauw recounts.

CBS News adds that photographs in court revealed that the helicopter got blasted by the volcano's force and that its rotors got bent.

Safety Compromised?

The trial resulted from tour operators getting accused of failing to make sure that their customers were safe. While Depauw was questioned, he revealed that he thought there were warning signs prior to the volcano's eruption. He also expressed that he was unaware that the volcano had erupted very recently in 2016.

Futurism explains that the trial could last for months. Several tour operators pleaded guilty and had to settle a fine.

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