Oscar-winning sound editor drowns in New Zealand

Mike Hopkins (L) and Ethan Van Der Ryn pose with actress Jennifer Gardner and their Best Sound Editing Oscar for King Kong 05 March, 2006, during the 78th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, California. AFP FILE PHOTO/ROBYN BECK

WELLINGTON–Double Oscar-winning sound editor Mike Hopkins has drowned in a rafting accident in New Zealand, police said Monday.

Hopkins, a 53-year-old New Zealander, died after being thrown into a fast-flowing stretch of river in the remote Tararua Ranges in the central North Island on Saturday. His two rafting companions both survived.

All three were wearing life jackets, wetsuits and helmets, Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said.

Hopkins won Oscars for his work on “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” in 2003 and “King Kong” in 2006 while working with American Ethan Van der Ryn.

He also worked on several other notable movies including “Blade Runner”, “Superman”, “The Last Emperor” and “Octopussy”.