15 Dec 2010

Tourist killed on Mt Aspiring climb

9:10 pm on 15 December 2010

A tourist has died while climbing Mt Aspiring near Wanaka in the Southern Alps.

The Australian resident of Singaporean descent, was on an alpine trip in New Zealand and fell while ascending the south-west ridge at 7am on Wednesday.

Wanaka Search and Rescue personnel retrieved his body using a helicopter late this morning.

The 21-year-old was climbing with a companion, who was unhurt.

Constable Mike Johnston says the man was an experienced climber and weather conditions were good.

In another incident, a 40-year-old man failed to get enough air while paragliding on Treble Cone, near Queenstown, and hit the side of a hill.

Simon Moses, of Albert Town, suffered injuries to his pelvis and lower back and was airlifted by rescue helicopter to Dunedin Hospital.