A mountain climber from Fairview, Tenn., was killed in a fall on a New Zealand glacier, police said Tuesday. Another American was seriously injured.
Austin Hanchey of Fairview was killed when he and two companions fell. He was an environmental conservation student from Idaho State University on a semester abroad. Police have not named the two survivors.
Hanchey’s mother, Faith, told The Associated Press on Tuesday night that her son loved the outdoors and wanted to educate others about the importance of the environment.
He decided to study in New Zealand, in part, for its outdoor opportunities. She recently visited him there for 12 days.
"He loved it, he absolutely loved it," she said of the country. "He was in a place that he enjoyed, and he was doing what he enjoyed, and that thought kind of has to carry you through."
But two others survived the 1600 foot fall… read on
All three climbers in the fall were 20-year-old Americans, students at Lincoln University in Christchurch. They fell about 1,600 feet Monday night while descending a glacier in Mount Aspiring National Park on New Zealand’s South Island, said Wanaka police Constable Mike Johnston.
The three men were roped together when one slipped, and all three fell, Johnston said.
The injured man had a broken pelvis and leg and head injuries, but was in surprisingly good condition. The third man took care of his injured friend before climbing down to a mountain hut to seek help.
Searchers found the surviving pair Tuesday, Johnston said.
"The only reason he’s really alive is because his mate managed to get down to that hut and raise the alarm" after a perilous nighttime descent, he said.
Wanaka search and rescue expert Gary Dickson said it was surprising the duo even survived the "huge fall."
"People who survive that have definitely used up one of their nine lives," he told National Radio.