The bodies of the two climbers killed on Mt D’Archiac have been recovered this morning.
Senior Constable Brent SWANSON, Twizel Police, says that the bodies of Jonathan SMITH and Warren CAMPBELL were recovered between 8.30 - 11.30am by helicopter. Police, DOC staff and members of the Aoraki /Mt Cook SAR team were involved.
The bodies are now awaiting an autopsy at Timaru Hospital. The deaths have been referred to the Timaru Coroner.
Senior Constable SWANSON says that they were recovered in a difficult location with the threat of further avalanche.
"Preliminary inquiries indicate that an avalanche was the cause of death."