One tramper died near Arthur’s Pass and another was airlifted to Franz Josef Glacier yesterday morning after spending a night seriously injured, as a result of two separate back country accidents.
A Christchurch man died on Thursday afternoon after falling on Mt Harper in the Arthur’s Pass National Park. His companion set off a beacon to summon help from the head of the Waimakariri River about 4.30pm after the man did not return from a day trip.
A rescue helicopter was sent and crew members saw what they thought was a body, but were unable to reach it because of its location. It appeared the victim had fallen a considerable distance. The body was recovered yesterday.
Formal identification is under way and police have not released the person’s name.
Yesterday morning, the NZCC Rescue Helicopter sent to recover the body was initially diverted to another tramping accident behind Franz Josef.
The Rescue Co-ordination Centre said the injured man was part of a group of four. He had suffered many broken bones after falling on Mt Elie de Beaumont on Thursday.
A team from Doc’s Mt Cook Alpine Cliff Rescue reached the accident site yesterday morning, stabilised the victim and brought him out by helicopter.
"The man fell a considerable distance," Senior Sergeant Antony Callon said.
The man was later transferred to Christchurch Hospital.
— Greymouth Star
