A person has died following an avalanche in the Arrowsmith Range area in Canterbury today.
Police say they were notified of the avalanche at 12.25pm.
One person was trapped in the avalanche and was in critical condition when they were recovered.
They died a short time later, police said.
“Nobody is unaccounted for following the avalanche,” it said.
“Details of the deceased cannot be provided until all necessary next of kin notifications have taken place.”
Earlier today, a spokesperson for Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) told 1News it was coordinating a response alongside police.
“It was initially reported to RCCNZ at about 12.25pm,” it said.
A police spokesperson said officers were working with RCCNZ, while Garden City Aviation had a rescue helicopter at the scene.
Earlier this month, Mountain Safety Council chief executive Mike Daisley told RNZ risks of an avalanche was high in some areas.
On Tuesday, a skier was rescued after being buried in a metre of snow near Wānaka.
“The avalanche risk has stepped up from considerable to high. So that’s what we’re expecting to see for the next couple of weeks,” he said at the time.
“Some brief weather windows encouraging people out mixed in with a constant storm cycle for the next two or three weeks.”
Daisley said ski fields actively managed avalanche risks, and recommended sticking to those areas.
