Two climbers have been found dead on Aoraki/Mt Cook following an extensive overnight rescue effort involving Police, the Wanaka Alpine Cliff Rescue Team, and the Department of Conservation.
Police were alerted around 11:20pm on Sunday that four climbers on the mountain’s west side required urgent assistance.
A helicopter from Queenstown collected the specialist rescue team in Wanaka, while another from Dunedin flew directly to the area and began searching.
By 2:15am, two members of the group had been located and airlifted to safety, uninjured. Despite calm and clear conditions, both helicopters continued searching through the night for the remaining pair but were unable to find them until around 7am, when they were discovered deceased.
The Rescue Coordination Centre remains the lead agency as recovery efforts continue in what police describe as a challenging alpine environment. Authorities are working to contact next of kin and will not release the victims’ details until that process is complete.
Image credit: Jade Gray
The correct name is Mt Cook. Just saying…..