An Irish climber plunged to his death while descending a steep slope in New Zealand 's Southern Alps today.
The 29-year-old was the third adventurer in 10 days to die in the mountain range, police said.
The Irishman and his female companion slipped on the snow-covered incline and fell about 800 feet into a drainage area near the town of Wanaka, on South Island, said local police Sergeant Aaron Nicholson.
Mr Nicholson said bad weather was preventing rescue workers from recovering the dead climber's body, but that an attempt would be made "at the earliest opportunity."
The woman hiker was flown to Dunedin Hospital, 95 miles away, with moderate injuries.
The man's name was being withheld until his family was notified.
Wanaka is located on South Island, 506 miles south-west of the capital, Wellington.
AP