Woman killed in Wanaka fall named

Maureen Anne Schofield
Maureen Anne Schofield
Police have released the name of the Wanaka woman who died yesterday after slipping and falling about 40m from a Department of Conservation walking track near Glendhu Bay.

Maureen Anne Schofield (68) was on the Fern Burn Track, which links to the better-known Motatapu Track, when she fell.

She had been on a day walk with the Wanaka Walkers group.

Earlier, Wanaka police SAR co-ordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said Mrs Schofield's death was a ''real tragedy''.

''The deceased has slipped on the edge of the track and lost her balance, falling down the bank,'' he said.

''Unfortunately, the slope was steep enough that she could not arrest her fall and she slid backwards approximately 40m, before dropping over a 3m bluff on to a rocky creek bed below.

''There were two doctors in the tramping party that did as much as they could for her but the injuries sustained in the fall were significant and unfortunately she died at the scene.''

Mrs Schofield was among a group of 22 in native bush when she slipped and fell about noon.

Police were notified at 12.09pm and a helicopter carrying two Wanaka search and rescue personnel and a paramedic left Wanaka about 1pm.

They returned a short time later to unload equipment, including an empty stretcher, before returning to the track.

Her body was then brought to Wanaka by helicopter.

The death would be referred to the coroner, Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell said.

Mrs Schofield is survived by her husband and two adult children

 

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