Police can confirm that two overseas tourists have died tragically following a kayaking accident on Lake Tekapo this afternoon.
The two were members of a group of young people who hired kayaks for a trip on Lake Tekapo.
They ran into difficulty after venturing out on the lake and being swamped after an easterly wind picked up to an estimated 20 knots.
After the alarm was raised, Lake Tekapo SAR personel, voluntary firemen and the McKenzie Lake Coast Guard, assisted by a helicopter, rescued nine people and retrieved the two bodies.
All survivors were suffering from hypothermia and a small number required hospitalisation at Timaru Hospital.
An investigation will take place, looking at the reasons this tragedy occurred.
The names of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been advised.
The matter will be referred to the Coroner.