New Zealand confirms 2 bodies are Canadians

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand police have confirmed that two bodies found in avalanche debris near a popular hiking track are those of two missing Canadian students.

Police said a post-mortem conducted Wednesday confirmed the deceased were Louis-Vincent Lessard and Etienne Lemieux, both aged 23.

According to police, the Montreal students travelled on July 7 to the South Island town of Te Anau intending to hike the Kepler Track, a route which typically takes three or four days.

Police said they were reported missing by their families on July 25.