Tourist dies on Mt Cook

At 5.00pm on the 08/02/2008 a 57 year old Tourist was reported overdue from a day walk in the Aoraki Mt Cook National Park. 

Enquiries revealed that the man was last seen heading down the ridge from the Mueller Hut. 

An Aerial search last night failed to locate the man. Another search by helicopter located the man deceased in a Gully below the ridge and above the Mueller Glacier this morning. 

He was recovered by the Helicopter together with members of the Department of Conservation and Mountain Rescue. 

His travel companion is being comforted by Victim Support. 

It is believed he has missed the turn off on the track back to the Mount Cook Village and then slipped and fallen to his death. 

The matter has been reported to the Coroner. 

The American Embassy is assisting with the notification of the next of kin.