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
Kelsey Waghorn, a 25-year-old guide, recalls the final moments before the eruption of New Zealand’s White Island in vivid detail. The event unfolded on December 9, 2019, during a routine tour that would become a harrowing experience for all 47 participants.
The Day the Island Changed
As the group paused near the island’s central streams, the air grew thick with anticipation. The water from the two distinct sources had always been a point of discussion—each with its own unique character, one tinged with iron, the other sharp and acidic. Waghorn was in the middle of explaining these differences when the atmosphere shifted dramatically.
The moment I saw it, I knew what was happening. The island was erupting.
Before she could react, the silence was shattered by frantic voices. “ERUPTION! TAKE COVER!” blared over the radios, while she shouted, “Everyone, with me! Run!” Her instincts took over, guided by years of safety training, as she sprinted toward cover.
A Scene of Chaos
Time seemed to stretch as the eruption unfolded. What felt like a brief span of minutes actually lasted two. A towering black-and-grey plume rose above the island, surpassing its peak and casting an eerie beauty against the azure sky. Yet, there was no warning—a lack of rumbling, hissing, or roaring that left the group in disarray.
Waghorn’s composure faltered as she crouched behind a rock mound with Jake, a fellow team member. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered, trying to steady the panic. But the surge of volcanic debris, a pyroclastic wave, was already bearing down on them.
The Aftermath and Survival
Twenty-two lives were lost that day, with 25 others sustaining injuries. Two victims were never recovered from the site. The ordeal left Waghorn with severe burns on her arms, her right elbow shielded only by her hands. She later chronicled the experience in her book, Surviving White Island, detailing how the eruption turned the island into a deadly fireball.
Amid the chaos, the group’s proximity to the main crater—around 300 to 400 metres—became a critical factor. While some found shelter on the northern wall, others were swept by the surging heat. The pyroclastic surge, a fast-moving cloud of superheated gas and ash, was the ultimate threat. Waghorn’s recollection captures the terror: “My exposed arms started to feel like they were on fire.”
Recovery and Reflection
After being discharged from hospital in April 2020, Waghorn shared her story. An aerial photo from the time reveals the New Zealand Defence Force’s efforts to recover bodies from the volcanic terrain. The tragedy left a lasting impact, with the island’s landscape and the memory of the eruption forever etched in her mind.
