THE devastated family of two brothers killed in an ice collapse will be slapped with a hefty bill for costs racked up for a rental car stuck at the site of the tragedy.
Akshay Miranda, 22, whose body remains trapped under tonnes of ice, was buried with the keys to the Toyota Tarago when he and his brother Ashish, 24, died at the Fox Glacier on New Zealand's South Island.
But the owner of Wellington car hire firm New Zealand Car Rental Specialists says the family should foot the bill for a new set of keys and the cost of towing the van to Wellington.
Dead Aussie brothers 'ignored warnings'
Businessman Edwin Chan said he would not bow to "emotional blackmail" and would charge the Mirandas for replacement keys and towing costs, which he estimates will be up to $1600.
"Anything we get billed we will pass on to these people," Mr Chan said.
"We are not charging them for the extra days. I do have compassion for them but they can't expect me to pick up the pieces. I don't believe at the end of the day I should have to pay.
"We have a business and we have to pay the bills. No one will say to me you do not have to pay the bills.
"They can't use emotional blackmail. I think it's just blackmail to a company."
Mr Chan said he would waive rental fees for the extra four days the car had been stuck at Fox Glacier and would try to minimise additional costs.
The firm charges $96 a day for the eight-seater vehicle. more
Akshay Miranda, 22, whose body remains trapped under tonnes of ice, was buried with the keys to the Toyota Tarago when he and his brother Ashish, 24, died at the Fox Glacier on New Zealand's South Island.
But the owner of Wellington car hire firm New Zealand Car Rental Specialists says the family should foot the bill for a new set of keys and the cost of towing the van to Wellington.
Dead Aussie brothers 'ignored warnings'
Businessman Edwin Chan said he would not bow to "emotional blackmail" and would charge the Mirandas for replacement keys and towing costs, which he estimates will be up to $1600.
"Anything we get billed we will pass on to these people," Mr Chan said.
"We are not charging them for the extra days. I do have compassion for them but they can't expect me to pick up the pieces. I don't believe at the end of the day I should have to pay.
"We have a business and we have to pay the bills. No one will say to me you do not have to pay the bills.
"They can't use emotional blackmail. I think it's just blackmail to a company."
Mr Chan said he would waive rental fees for the extra four days the car had been stuck at Fox Glacier and would try to minimise additional costs.
The firm charges $96 a day for the eight-seater vehicle. more
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