Man dies in avalanche

A snowboarder died after being caught in an avalanche on Coronet Peak this afternoon. Photo / Sarah Ivey

A man died tonight after being caught in an avalanche while snowboarding on Coronet Peak, northeast of Queenstown.

He was the second person to die in an avalanche in the South Island's mountains in just over a week.

Searchers found the man about 7.15pm, and he was given medical treatment before being airlifted to Lakes District Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the 30-year-old man was from the Queenstown area and close family members were with him at the time of the avalanche.

Police were told about 5pm of the avalanche which was thought to have happened at the Greengate chairlift about 4.40pm.

A rescue mission was carried out by searchers with lighting and alpine rescue dogs, southern police communications Inspector Warren Kemp said.

Police said they would not release any other details about the man's identity until his family had been told.

The death would be referred to the coroner.

NZSki, which operates the ski area, said the avalanche happened outside its boundaries.

There had been several avalanches in the back country areas of Coronet Peak recently, spokesperson Alexa Forbes told Radio New Zealand.

On July 24 a large avalanche in the Southern Alps' Rugged Range killed an Australian heli-skier and temporarily buried two others.

- NZPA