Mt. Ruapehu, New Zealand – A 44-year-old victim fell more than 150 meters to her death on Saturday at Whakapapa ski area on New Zealand’s Mt. Ruapehu while trying to retrieve her snowboard.

Caroline Johnstone, of Te Horo, New Zealand, became separated from her snowboard while descending an easier run at the resort with her civil companion, Chrissie Lahood. Johnstone ventured into the mountain’s posted Amphitheatre section of the ski area in search of the runaway snowboard when she apparently lost her footing and fell 15 meters before plummeting another 150 meters down a cliff face.

Lahood waited for Johnstone at the bottom of the mountain, but realized something was amiss when Johnstone failed to return, and Lahood observed a rescue helicopter responding to the scene.

The accident was witnessed by a separate party of climbers who responded to the scene to render aid. Johnstone, who was employed as a freelance television director, was pronounced dead at the scene.