Irishman killed in New Zealand fall was experienced climber

The Irishman who died in a mountain-climbing accident in New Zealand yesterday morning has been named as 29-year-old Dr Donal Deery from Belfast.

Dr Deery, who was an experienced climber, slipped and fell while descending a steep, snow-covered slope on the country's South Island.

An Irishwoman, also believed to be from the North, was injured in the incident.

The pair were part of a three-strong group that had climbed a mountain in the Southern Alps, camped there overnight and begun their descent yesterday morning.

Local police said the climbers were unprepared for the icy conditions and did not have the equipment required to safely negotiate the mountains.

Snow storms and high winds have prevented emergency workers from airlifting Dr Deery's body from the mountain.