Climbers family men
Two colleagues who died in a suspected fall on Taranaki Maunga were both experienced mountaineers and dedicated family men, their grieving families say. Richard
Phillips, 46, and
Peter Kirkwood,
33, died shortly after reaching the summit on
Tuesday night.
Their bodies were recovered from the mountain about
8am yesterday.
The pair, who lived in Christchurch and were employed by an environmental and engineering consultancy company, had travelled to Taranaki for work but ventured up the mountain for a recreational trip. Kirkwood’s wife, Kerrie Ann Kirkwood, said the mountains were ‘‘central to Peter’s life’’. Phillips’ family said he was a dedicated family man.