A 27-year-old New Zealand man has been found dead in Tasmania after apparently falling from a height while bushwalking. His body was discovered by search crews on Wednesday morning in the Eastern Arthur Range, near Federation Peak in the Southwest National Park.
Tasmania police Inspector Colin Riley said the terrain and weather conditions would make it difficult to retrieve the body, likely taking several days. “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones, and a report will be prepared for the coroner,” he said.
The man was reported overdue on Monday afternoon by a friend, after failing to make contact over the weekend as planned. He had begun the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse, a 72km multi-day hike, from the Huon River campground the previous Tuesday, and was expected to finish on Saturday or Sunday.
Police launched a search operation involving a rescue helicopter, four police officers, two wilderness paramedics and four SES volunteers. Police search controller Ben Cunningham described the traverse as “challenging and would take most experienced bushwalkers six to nine days to complete”.
According to the Tasmania Parks website, the walk is intended only for “very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid” and warns of rough, steep and unmarked tracks, cliffs, rock scrambling and extreme weather.
