A climber is “exceptionally lucky to be alive” after falling 600m (1,969ft) off the side of a mountain and landing with only minor injuries.

Police were alerted to a fall on Mount Taranaki, on the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, on Saturday, while a group was near the summit.

Officers say the climber was re-kitted and helped down the mountain to reunite with the rest of the group when he was found.

The distance of his fall is equivalent to some of the world’s tallest buildings and roughly double the height of the Eiffel Tower and the Shard in London.

It is believed warmer-than-usual weather had softened the ice and helped to break the climber’s fall.

“He is exceptionally lucky to be alive. These are challenging areas and when things go wrong there are often serious consequences,” police said.

“Climbing on Mount Taranaki requires experience, knowledge and properly fitted and correct equipment.

“Failing to be properly equipped could result in a very different ending to Saturday’s story.”

According to police, the climber fell at around midday and disappeared from the rest of the group’s view.

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One of the team then climbed down to try to locate him, followed by a member from Taranaki Alpine Rescue, who happened to be in the area at the time.

The pair found the man with minor injuries, with his ice axe and crampons missing.

This part of the mountain is particularly dangerous, police said, with two climbers falling to their death two years ago.

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