The two mountain guides killed in an avalanche near Mt Cook have been named.
Martin Hess, 50, and Wolfgang Maier, 58, were killed after becoming caught in the avalanche when it struck Mt Hicks on the western side of Aoraki/Mt Cook early on Wednesday.
The lone survivor, Jo Morgan, wife of entrepreneur and former politician Gareth Morgan, managed to dig herself out and was rescued.
- Men killed in avalanche near Mt Cook were NZ citizens from Germany
- 'I'm lucky to be alive': Jo Morgan shares story of surviving deadly avalanche near Mt Cook
- Search on for three people lost in avalanche near Mt Cook
The men were both German nationals living in New Zealand.
On Wednesday Mid-South Canterbury Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin told media the trio had reached the summit and became 'engulfed' by the avalanche on their descent.
"I think one of them was killed pretty much instantly, and one of them probably perished before the team got there."
"These guys, although not employed by the Department of Conservation, are well-known - they're well-known through the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park and other climbing areas, so it will have a dramatic effect."
Their bodies have been recovered and next of kin are being notified.
Westpac paramedic Wayne Ledgerwood told Newshub the men were under full CPR on their way back to Mt Cook village from the mountain.
"These victims were suffocated [by snow] because of the hypothermia, low body conditions - resuscitation is continued as far as practical."
The trio were roped together when the avalanche hit. Ms Morgan survived by adopting a swimming action enabling her to have one arm free to set off her personal locator beacon.
"I'm just so lucky to be alive. I was buried too," Ms Morgan told Newshub. "It took me nearly an hour to dig myself out and set the locator beacon off."
Her survival efforts have been praised by police and the Department of Conservation.
Police are investigating the incident and the men's deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
Newshub.
