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A Rotorua man who has worked at the Franz Josef Glacier says better fencing and more signs are needed so more tourists don't come to grief on New Zealand's unstable glaciers.
He says the death of two tourists on the Fox Glacier this week was a tragedy waiting to happen. The Rotorua man, who asked not to be identified, worked as a guide on the Franz Josef Glacier for about a year and said such accidents were bound to happen because many tourists ignored safety barriers.
On Thursday two Australian brothers were crushed by falling ice on Fox Glacier after crossing safety barriers at the terminal face. They were taking photos when a section of ice, including pieces as large as vehicles, collapsed on them. One man's body was dug free but a search for the other man was unsuccessful and he was presumed dead.
The Rotorua man said he wasn't surprised to hear of the incident: "It was pretty shocking but sometimes tourists get too close to areas they shouldn't."
The area where the ice fell was an unstable part of the glacier and ice was known to fall regularly, he said.
"It has happened before and it was just a matter of time before it was going to happen again."
More safety precautions were needed. "There needs to be more signs and people need to be better educated. I also think there should be some proper fences around the dangerous areas of the glacier."
Police are urging visitors to respect safety barriers and notices.
- DAILY POST, NZPA
