Tramper deaths at Mt Aspiring National Park in 'extraordinary' weather
Sunday, 9 February 2020
Two trampers found dead in a South Island river is a 'worst-case scenario', Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage says.
About 12.30pm on Saturday a body was discovered in Central Otago's Makarora River by a member of the public, who notified police.
The body was in the same area that another body was found on Friday about 5.15pm.
They had been tramping in the Mount Aspiring National Park.
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Sage described it as the worst-case scenario.
'This has been an extraordinary weather event and extremely sad for those two people and their families and friends.
'People come to enjoy spectacular landscapes. They carry all their food and everything. As a tramper myself I know the physical challenges.
'We can't speculate about what's happened, but it's a tragedy.'
An investigation was launched into the circumstances of the two confirmed deaths, but neither was being treated as suspicious at this stage.
Formal identification of both bodies is under way.
Sage told media on Sunday she was waiting to hear about the fate of a third person.
'Police and emergency services will be doing everything in their power to find them,' she said.
However, police confirmed there was no search.