News | Sports
4 Feb 2026 18:47
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Sports

    Second Australian dies while skiing in Japan

    Japanese police confirm Australian man Michael Jefferey Hurst has died while skiing in Japan.


    A second Australian has died in Japan, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed.

    Japanese police have confirmed the man who died was Michael Jefferey Hurst.

    The man, reportedly in his 20s, was at the rear of a group of seven skiers when he became separated from the group and buried by snow, local media reported. 

    He was found unconscious by another group of skiers, who administered CPR.

    The skier was transported to hospital but was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to reports. 

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian.

    "We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time," a DFAT spokesperson said. 

    "Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment."

    The death marks the second Australian to have died in Japan during the current ski season. 

    Brooke Day died in hospital on Sunday morning after she was critically injured at the Tsugaike Kogen Mountain Resort in the Hakuba Valley on Friday.

    The 22-year-old was taking a lift at the Tsugaike Mountain Resort in central Japan on Friday morning when she became caught and suffered critical injuries.

    Japan regularly receives some of the highest snowfall in the world and is currently experiencing a record-breaking season, making it a desirable destination for powderhounds.

    The snowfall also resulted in a temporary closure of Hokkaido's main airport last week, stranding hundreds of passengers, while delaying other travel including train services and forcing the closure of some highways, Reuters reported. 

    Since January 20, more than 100 people have suffered serious injury nationwide in snow-related incidents and 30 people have died, figures from the disaster management agency show.

    © 2026 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Sports News
     04 Feb: All Blacks centurion Codie Taylor believes the distraction of the coaching saga will be put to one side when Super Rugby gets underway next week
     04 Feb: It could be months before Wellingtonians are given the all-clear for swimming at southern coastal areas - where sewage is leaking
     04 Feb: Former All Black Dane Coles will sit on the panel charged with finding the coach to replace Scott Robertson
     04 Feb: Further Super Rugby law innovations have been given the seal of approval by veteran hooker Codie Taylor
     04 Feb: A maiden Football Ferns call-up for rising Phoenix talent Pia Vlok
     04 Feb: Proposed changes to the kick-off in league's NRL for the 2026 season have been kicked into touch
     04 Feb: Former Olympic downhill ski champion Lindsey Vonn intends to compete at the Winter Games, despite suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee on Saturday
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks centurion Codie Taylor believes the distraction of the coaching saga will be put to one side when Super Rugby gets underway next week More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery More...



     Today's News

    Rugby:
    All Blacks centurion Codie Taylor believes the distraction of the coaching saga will be put to one side when Super Rugby gets underway next week 18:37

    Entertainment:
    John Lithgow finds J.K. Rowling's trans stance "ironic and inexplicable" 18:31

    International:
    Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went 18:17

    Business:
    A warning we've been burnt by high hopes for economic recovery 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Timothee Chalamet insists that his unconventional promotion tours aren't a gimmick 18:01

    Entertainment:
    Charli xcx doesn't want to have children 17:31

    Environment:
    It could be months before Wellingtonians are given the all-clear for swimming at southern coastal areas - where sewage is leaking 17:27

    International:
    Inquest to be held into baby girl's mysterious death in Queensland 17:17

    Politics:
    Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim and India's Narendra Modi named in Epstein files 17:07

    Entertainment:
    Jason Segel was thrilled to work with his "idol" Michael J. Fox in Shrinking 17:01


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd