Police name missing US tramper

Searchers have been combing the Young River. Photo NZ Police
Searchers have been combing the Young River. Photo NZ Police

Wanaka police have temporarily suspended the search for a missing American student tramper who has been named as Allison Willen.

'Ally' Willen (20), of Akron, Ohio, was last seen on the Gillespie Pass track, in Mt Aspiring National Park, in poor weather conditions on Saturday.

She had been studying at the University of Otago on a study abroad programme from and was tramping with two female friends from the university when she went missing, Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said.

An extensive search effort had been focusing on the Young River over the past two days where items of clothing and her back pack were located in the river.

Sergeant Nicholson said: "The search has been suspended for a few days to allow the river levels to recede as much as possible so that when we recommence on Friday or Saturday we have the very best chance of finding Ally for her family."

Ms Willen's father and uncle were in Wanaka and had been greatly appreciative of the search effort to date and the time dedicated to it by the Land SAR volunteers.

"They are clearly distraught by this sudden and unexpected loss and very anxious to find Ally," Sgt Nicholson said.

The family had asked for privacy.

 

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