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Against The Odds

Whakaari: Eruption on White Island | Dad and Daughter Remember | 4

Against The Odds

Wondery

Cassie De Pecol, History, Society & Culture, Dolby, Mike Corey, Dolby Atmos, Atmos

4.77.2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 November 2024

⏱️ 37 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

On December 9, 2019, Pastor Geoff Hopkins and his 22-year-old daughter, Lillani, visited Whakaari/White Island to celebrate Geoff’s 50th birthday—a long-held dream. But as their boat began its return to the mainland, the volcano suddenly erupted, leaving 47 people on the island to endure its blast. Geoff and Lillani quickly found themselves swept up in a rescue operation. Now, they join host Cassie De Pecol to share the unforgettable story of that day.

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Wondery Plus subscribers can listen to Against the Odds early and ad-free right now.

0:05.6

Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app or on Apple Podcasts.

0:09.7

A listener note.

0:11.1

This episode contains graphic imagery that some listeners may find disturbing.

0:15.8

Please be advised.

1:05.1

From Wondery, I'm Cassie the Peckle, and this is Against the Odds. On December 9th, 2019, Lelani Hopkins and her dad, Jeff, set off to visit New Zealand's most active volcano, Fakhari White Island, 30 miles off the country's north coast.

1:13.3

They couldn't have been more excited. Visiting White Island had always been a dream for Lelani, then a 22-year-old geography student, and a self-described volcano nerd. Her dad, a pastor, had toured the island in

1:19.8

the 90s, and it was always something she wanted to do with him. So, for his 50th birthday,

1:25.7

Lelani surprised her dad with tickets to see the volcano.

1:29.1

The tour even included a guided walk up to the rim so they could peer down into the steaming

1:34.1

blue lake at its center.

1:36.1

But celebration soon turned to terror when at 2.11 p.m., the volcano suddenly exploded.

1:43.4

Luckily for them, Lelani and Jeff had just completed their

1:46.9

tour and were back on their boat, taking some photos before returning to the mainland. But 47 tourists

1:53.6

were still on the island. Their boat immediately turned around and went back to help the survivors,

1:59.6

if there were any.

2:01.7

My guests today are Lilani Hopkins, who consulted on our series and her dad, Jeff Hopkins.

2:07.6

Lelani and Jeff, welcome to Against the Odds.

2:10.3

Thank you.

2:11.0

It's good to be here.

2:12.5

Jeff, what a cool thing to mark your 50th trip around the sun to go and see an active volcano with

2:18.2

Alani? I understand you had visited White Island before in 1995. What do you remember exactly about

...

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