KEY POINTS:
The brave actions of a friend have saved the life of a young climber who was one of three who fell on Mt Aspiring last night, police say.
The fall took the life of one of the climbers, an American man aged in his twenties.
The three men were roped together when one slipped and they fell about 500m while descending a glacier towards the French Ridge Hut about 6pm yesterday, Constable Mike Johnston of Wanaka police said.
One climber was killed, while a second suffered serious leg and back injuries.
The third took care of his injured friend then climbed down to the hut alone to raise the alarm.
A search party located the pair today.
Mr Johnston said the injured man had received a broken pelvis and serious leg injuries.
Despite this, he was in surprisingly good condition, he said.
"The only reason he's really alive is because his mate managed to get down to that hut and raise the alarm" he said.
The two surviving men, also American, were airlifted to Dunedin Hospital.
All three were students in Canterbury, Mr Johnston said.
No further details were being released until next-of-kin had been advised.
- NZPA
