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Swedish hunter killed in Nelson Lakes National Park

Monday 14 March 2011, 1:03PM

By New Zealand Police

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TASMAN

A Swedish tourist was been found dead at the bottom of a waterfall in Nelson Lakes National Park this morning after an extensive search.

Ivar Sturesson-Bolin, 25, arrived in New Zealand one week ago and travelled to Nelson last Wednesday. He and his travelling companion were in the country for a hunting holiday and had visited a Nelson person who had previously been an exchange student in Sweden before heading into the hills.

The hunters got separated in the Shift Creek area of Nelson Lakes National Park late on Saturday and Mr Sturesson-Bolin's companion became concerned when he did not arrive at Coldwater Hut, at the head of Lake Rotoiti. Shortly after midnight he contacted Police and search teams were deployed.

Five search teams, two confinement teams, specialist rope teams and two dog teams conducted extensive searches on Sunday. A helicopter with night vision capability was also used overnight.

At 9.50 today one of the rope rescue teams found Mr Sturesson-Bolin's body at the bottom of a waterfall in Shift Creek. It is believed he died from injuries sustained in a fall down the cliff face.

His family in Sweden and the Swedish Embassy have been informed.

His companion is being looked after by Victim Support staff in Nelson.