A TOURIST has died on Japan’s slopes just days after a 22-year-old snowboarder was killed in a separate chairlift incident.
Michael “Micky” Hurst, 27, was skiing in unpatrolled back-country terrain between the Niseko Moiwa and Niseko Annupuri International Ski Resorts on Monday afternoon when disaster struck.
The Australian skier’s death is the second tourist tragedy to strike Aussies in Japan in less than a week.
Micky was part of a group of seven skiers when he fell behind around half-way down the mountain.
When the group realised he was missing, they turned back to search for him.
They found four other skiers performing CPR on Micky, who was unconscious.
He was rushed to hospital but later died.
Micky is believed to have suffered a heart attack, although early reports from local media suggested he may have disappeared during an avalanche.
The 27-year-old grew up in Melbourne’s Bayside community and had been living in Japan.
He was working at a local hotel at a ski resort in Niseko, a popular international skiing destination.
Cops are continuing to investigate into the tragic death, but there are no visible injuries.
Heartbreaking tributes have since poured in.
In an online post, a family friend described Micky as the “healthiest, good looking but most humble child, young man, we knew.”
She wrote: “No mother wants to have to be the one to tell you the news your childhood best friend passed away having a heart attack on the slopes of Japan.”
The tribute continued: “Knowing he died doing the sport he loved the most makes us happy knowing you left this world in full action.”
She added: “Taken way too soon.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is assisting the family.
A spokesperson said it was providing consular support “to the family of an Australian who died in Japan”.
They added: “We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.”
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
Consular assistance may include help liaising with local authorities and guidance around funeral arrangements or repatriation.
The death comes just days after another Australian tourist was killed in a separate ski resort tragedy.
Brooke Day, 22, died after a horrific chairlift accident while snowboarding at the Tsugaike Mountain ski resort in Otari.
Her backpack became tangled in a lift buckle while she was on the lift.
It is understood she was dragged through the snow while the chest strap remained fastened.
Resort staff pressed an emergency stop button to halt the lift.
Brooke, who reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest, was rushed to hospital by ambulance.
She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards on Sunday.
Brooke had previously described herself as a people person who enjoyed “getting to know the patients and making them feel welcome and seen”.
Japanese media initially misnamed her as Ella Day Brooke, an error that has since been corrected.
The Tsugaike Mountain resort and Tsugaike Gondola Lift Co issued an apology and confirmed a probe will be launched.
The company’s chief executive also offered condolences to Brooke’s family and pledged to do everything possible to assist them.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was “providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian who died in Japan”.
A spokesperson added: “We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time.”
