The perfect candidates for next year's Darwin Awards, brothers Akshay and Ashish Miranda died while exploring the Fox Glacier on New Zealand's South Island, going beyond the clearly marked "Do Not Cross" lines to get a closer look and finding themselves directly in line with falling ice that crushed them. Among the phone calls of condolences the Miranda family received? One from the rental car company the brothers used, which wants to be paid for towing the brothers' car back, and for a new set of keys — which remain buried under the ice in Akshay's pocket.

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." [Daily Telegraph]