Fox Glacier body found

The body of an Australian tourist killed by falling ice at Fox Glacier has been found this afternoon.

Melbourne brothers Ashish and Akshay Miranda were crushed by falling ice at the glacier’s terminal face on January 8 while their parents watched on.

Ashish’s body was found soon after but his brother was not found in the initial search.

Today Department of Conservation staff found a red cap about 500m from the glacier in the Fox River.

A subsequent aerial search found Akshay’s body at 12.30pm, about 10 kilometres downstream from the glacier, just below the confluence with the Cook River.

“Akshay was located out of the water on a gravel island approximately one metre from the water’s edge,” Constable Tony LeSueur of the Hokitika Police said.

“He was lying on his back with his arms by his side.

The extent of his injuries can not be established at this time.

Akshay did not have any personal items on him.” Akshay’s body will be taken to Christchurch for a post-mortem before he is reunited with his family.

Police say the brothers’ parents are relieved their son has been found. It is likely that his brother’s funeral will be delayed.

- © Fairfax NZ News