A man caught in an avalanche while snowboarding on Coronet Peak, northeast of Queenstown, has died.
The 30-year-old is 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. He is from the Queenstown area and close family members were with him at the time of the avalanche.
The avalanche occurred near the Greengate chairlift about 4.40pm and police were alerted about 5pm.
A rescue mission was carried out by searchers with lighting and
alpine rescue dogs.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
NZSki, which operates the ski area, said the avalanche happened outside its boundaries.
There have been several avalanches in the back country areas of Coronet Peak recently, spokesperson Alexa Forbes says.
On July 24 a large avalanche in the Southern Alps' Rugged Range killed an Australian heli-skier and temporarily buried two others.
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