Aoraki Mount Cook National Park - Search & Rescue

This morning two Australian Climbers aged 36 and 37 were attempting to
Climb Aoraki Mt Cook via Zurbriggens Ridge.

At about 1.00am they were hit by falling ice and then fell 200 metres. One
received facial injuries and the other chest injuries making it difficult to breath.
The pair managed to descend back to Plateau hut were the alarm was raised.

At first light this morning members of the Aoraki Mt Cook Mountain Rescue
team flew in by helicopter and rescued the pair.

They have been treated initially and then transported to Timaru Hospital by
ambulance. The injuries received are not life threatening.

There are large numbers of climbers in the park making use of the good
weather and climbing conditions.