Police focus search for missing tramper Stephanie Simpson near Haast Pass

Friday, 14 February 2020

The family of missing British tramper Stephanie Simpson have arrived in New Zealand and are helping with the search.

Simpson, a 32-year-old who has been living in Wanaka, was reported missing on Monday after she failed to return from a hike and did not arrive at work.

The search has been narrowed after police found items of interest.

Stuff understands members of Simpson's family have arrived in New Zealand from the United Kingdom and are busy helping search teams.

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Police said they had narrowed the search on Friday to the Pyke Creek area, which they called 'extremely challenging' terrain in the Southern Alps.

Pyke Creek is directly north of Brewster Hut, where Simpson was believed to be walking, and east of the Haast Pass highway.

'Searchers have located items of interest which has informed the decision to narrow the search to this area,' a police spokeswoman said.

She would not provide further details, including what the items were.

Land Search and Rescue staff, two dog teams, Alpine Cliff Rescue staff from Fox Glacier and a canyon search and rescue team from Wanaka are helping with the search on Friday.

'Due to the difficult conditions in the area and the necessity for specialist crews, police  the Pyke do not require any additional volunteers at this time,' a statement said.

'However we would like to thank those members of the public who have offered assistance.'

In an unrelated matter, the bodies of two trampers were found in the Makarora River on the weekend.