Police name tourist who died on glacier

Police have named the Australian tourist who died while on a guided walk of the West Coast's Franz Josef Glacier yesterday.

He was 38-year-old John Parisis, from New South Wales.

Police said the man was taking part in a guided tour when, as the group walked along the bottom of a crevasse, he slipped and lost consciousness at about 1.30pm.

He was rescued from the crevasse by the guiding company, Franz Josef Glacier Guides, and airlifted to the township of Franz Josef but attempts to revive him failed.

Police are investigating the matter on behalf of the Coroner.

John Thorburn, chief executive of Ngai Tahu Tourism, which owns the glacier guide company, said the company has launched a full investigation and tours were suspended today but he expected them to resume tomorrow.

"We are still pretty unclear as to what actually caused the gentleman's death and I guess that will come out in the course of the investigation."

Mr Thorburn said staff were quiet shocked and upset.

"We've spent most of our time in the last day in a half, just supporting the customers and staff on the ground in Franz Josef," he said.

- NZPA