Adelaide man Dean Higgins killed in avalanche in Tibet, wife Wendy trapped under snow for six hours Adelaide mortgage brokers Dean Higgin and his wife, Wendy. IT was supposed to be a memorable holiday - trekking through Tibet with friends and ticking off another adventure off their bucket list. But for globetrotter Wendy Higgins, the trip will be remembered for all the wrong reasons - her husband Dean was killed when he was buried underneath an avalanche on Tuesday. At least three others, believed to be local yak herders, also died in the disaster. A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said Mr Higgins, 60, was the only Australian to have perished. Wendy Higgins with daughter Sara and husband Dean, who was killed on Tuesday. "Consular officials from the Australian Embassy in Beijing are attempting to contact the man's family to offer consular assistance," the spokesman said. Mrs Higgins was also trapped underneath the ice and snow for more than six hours, before she was rescued and holed up on the mountain until she was evacuated by authorities. The couple, who worked as Mortgage Choice franchisees in Adelaide, were among the company's best sellers. Mrs Higgins has owned her Mortgage Choice franchise for 15 years and is one of just two people who have made the company's prestigious Hall of Fame. Her husband was a director for the company. Mortgage Choice chief executive Michael Russell said Mr Higgins was a "beautiful man" who loved his wife and daughter Sara. "He was one of the most beautiful men you would ever meet," he said yesterday. He was loved by the entire Mortgage Choice family and his clients as well. He was very dignified and had a great sense of humour. He said Sara had also recently joined the family business. "He was a wonderful husband and father and absolutely treasured Wendy and Sara," Mr Russell said. He was so excited when Sara recently joined the family franchise - it brought him so much pleasure and joy. It was initially believed the Higgins' trip was a company reward for their amazing sales record, but Mr Russell dismissed the claim. "They were trekking in Tibet with another couple, personal friends of theirs," he said. They were part of a group and this was during their own vacation time. We're absolutely devastated as a group and it's been a very numb and painful day for everyone in the organisation. Tributes yesterday flowed in for Mr Higgins, as well as messages of condolences for his wife and daughter via a private online forum.