A new dad with an “adventurous soul” was killed with a colleague while trekking on an mountain in New Zealand.
Geologist Dr Peter Kirkwood, 33, had travelled to the 8,200ft mountain for research with colleague Richard Phillips.
The alarm was raised when one of the climbers made an emergency call to say the other had fallen. Both were found dead the next day.
Cambridge graduate Dr Kirkwood had climbed the summit track of Mt Taranaki on the north but the pair fell on the southern side of summit near Syme Hut.
The alarm was raised on May 4 but the search was called off due to poor conditions. The bodies of both men were recovered the following morning at 8am.
Dr Kirkwood, originally from Cyncoed, Cardiff , who gained five top grade A-levels at Rougemont School in Newport, met wife Kerrie Ann at the hillwalking club at the University of Cambridge. He had been completing his PhD in geotechnical engineering before the pair graduated and started to work in Colarado. They moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2018.
A statement on behalf of Kerrie Ann said: “The mountains were central to Peter’s life. He was a skilled and experienced tramper, mountaineer, and backcountry skier who had climbed numerous peaks in the European Alps, the Scottish Highlands, the North American Rockies, and the New Zealand Southern Alps.
“He had recently become a father and was looking forward to introducing his baby daughter, Elaine Sierra, to the mountains that he and Kerrie Ann loved so much.
“A competent, careful engineer who tackled complex geotechnical problems with relish, Peter was held in high esteem by his colleagues at Tonkin & Taylor.”
The statement added: “He was a loyal, considerate, and adventurous soul who will be dearly missed by his friends in the UK, the US, and in Christchurch where he and Kerrie Ann had made their home.
“Peter’s loss leaves a huge hole in the lives of his family and friends. We respectfully request privacy at this difficult time.”
Dr Kirkwood also leaves behind his parents Paul and Katrina and siblings Beth, Matthew and Edith.
Dr Kirkwood and Mr Phillips had travelled to Taranaki as part of their work for environmental and engineering consultancy company Tonkin + Taylor. Managing director Dr Tim Fisher paid tribute to two of the company’s “treasured staff.”
He said: “Our priority right now is to support their families and our people as we deal with this incredibly sad news. We would like to thank Taranaki police and search and rescue for their service and support.”
