Dunedin man one of two trampers found dead on Otago's Makarora River

Wednesday, 12 February 2020

One of the two people found dead in Central Otago's Makarora River has been named as Kevin Kum Fike Lee.

Police said the 22-year-old resided in Dunedin.

A member of the public notified police after discovering the body in the Makarora River about 12.30pm on Saturday, which has now been confirmed as Lee. 

Lee's body was found in the same area where a woman's body was found by another member of the public about 5.15pm on Friday. The woman's death is still with the coroner and her name is expected to be released in the coming days. 

**READ MORE:

* Female tramper reported overdue in Mt Aspiring National Park

* Tramper deaths at Mt Aspiring National Park in 'extraordinary' weather

* Police find second body in as many days in Mount Aspiring National Park**

The pair had been tramping together in Mt Aspiring National Park and were not believed to be part of a wider group. 

Severe weather in the region at the time wreaked havoc and caused a state of emergency to be declared in Southland. MetService records show that 64 millimetres of rain fell in the Makarora River area on February 4, which could have caused high river swells. 

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage described the two deaths 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,' Sage said. 

Police said their thoughts were with Lee's family and friends.