Aussie soldier dies in 40-metre fall at NZ's Mt Cook
An Australian soldier has died after falling down a 40-metre crevasse at New Zealand's highest mountain, it has been confirmed.
The 44-year-old soldier fell down a crevasse at Aoraki/Mt Cook, around 12.30pm local time.
He died during a survival exercise in the Grand Plateau area of the Southern Island.
The soldier was with nine others when the incident happened, and attempts were made to revive him.
His body has been flown back to the Mount Cook Emergency Service Centre, according to NZ Police.
Officers are currently advising the man's next of kin, as they prepare a report for the Coroner.
Earlier, the Department of Conservation (DOC) posted on its website about a rock avalanche on the same mountain.
DOC said there is no record of visitors in the area at the time, and an inspection by air has not found anyone caught.
"We are working with GNS Science to assess the stability of the area, enabling us to carry out a more detailed investigation of the rock fall and the damage," DOC services manager Mike Davies told NZ Newswire.
It's not yet known if the two events are linked.
Mt Cook is approximately 3,754 metres high.
