Mountain death safety call

Recommendations to two conservation bodies are included in a coroner's findings into the death of a young Irish doctor in a freak accident on Mt Aspiring in January of last year.

Dr Donal Deery, 29, of Belfast, died instantly from head injuries after he threw himself on his Irish girlfriend as she sped past him on her back after falling on a steep snowfield. They both went over a precipice on to rocks.

Helen McClements, of Bangor, Co Down, was seriously injured.

The Queenstown coroner, Alan Macalister, has recommended the New Zealand Conservation Authority change the classification of Cascade Saddle, where the fatality occurred, from "track" to "route" to reflect those parts of the climb where alpine skills and equipment are essential.

He also asked that the Department of Conservation erect signs clearly identifying the hazards of climbing there.

His lengthy report said the couple were inadequately equipped - no rope or ice pick - to safely attempt the alpine climb.