Tourist dies at Cardrona ski field

A young tourist was killed this morning in a ski crash at Central Otago's Cardrona skifield while descending a groomed run.

Detective Derek Shaw of Wanaka said the 17-year-old male was part of an organised foreign ski team.

The crash was seen by several witnesses and police would be speaking to them later today.

Ski patrollers were there immediately but the man died despite their efforts, Mr Shaw said in a statement.

"It appears that no other person was involved in the crash."

The matter has been referred to the coroner and the dead person's name would not be released until his family had been contacted.

The remaining members of the ski team left the skifield after the crash and are in Wanaka.

- NZPA