Police retrieve teen canyoner`s body

Police have recovered the body of 15-year-old Nick Delaney, who died the same day
his now grieving canyoning companions were rescued from NSW's rugged Blue Mountains.
The student at Sydney's exclusive Shore college was among a group of six reported
missing after they failed to return from a planned day trip through the Wollangambe
Canyon on Tuesday.
A two-day search by more than 50 emergency service workers ended at 4.20pm (AEDT) on
Thursday, when they were spotted in two groups by the police helicopter near Mount
Wilson.
The survivors have been identified by media outlets as Nick's brother Chris Delaney,
27, and 13-year-old cousin Allan Delaney, along with Michael Gibbs, 25, and sisters
Joanne Wilcock, 26, and Beth Wilcock, 27.
All five were eventually airlifted to safety by 7pm (AEDT) on Thursday after delays
due to poor weather - low cloud, mist and rain.
They were taken to the nearby Richmond RAAF Base and transferred to Nepean Hospital
and treated for dehydration, hypothermia and assorted minor injuries.
All five were released on Friday morning.
Police believe Nick was killed in a rockfall earlier on the same day his companions
were rescued.
Guarded by police and paramedics, his body remained in rough terrain on Thursday
night after rain hindered recovery efforts.
It was eventually recovered just after 2.30pm (AEDT) on Friday by Polair.
Investigations into how the teenager died are continuing.
Police said some of the canyoners were experienced, and one of them had previously
completed the trip.
All six had adequate clothing and supplies but Police Inspector Max Wallace said the
group would have been better prepared if they had taken emergency beacons.
"People can go on walks they've been on before, as in this case, and can perhaps be
overconfident in their abilities to achieve the walk without any problems," he said
on Thursday before the group was found.
"The nature of this environment is that you can encounter problems."
Other hikers in the area said the terrain was rough and the path was poorly signposted.
"The only sign that we saw was a scratch in the rock saying exit," bushwalker Daniel
Scott told Network Ten on Friday.
In a statement from Shore headmaster Dr Tim Rice, Nick was described as a strong
student and a gifted sportsman.
The school has offered counselling to students and parents as the Delaney family
prepares for Nick's funeral.