Body of missing tramper located

Wanaka Police and Wanaka Land SAR Alpine Cliff rescue members recovered the body of missing 23 year old German tramper Julian STOKENBORG this afternoon. His body along with his pack was discovered approximately 250 metres down a steep cliff face below the Cascade Saddle in the Mt Aspiring National Park.

Wanaka Land SAR teams have been searching the difficult and challenging area for the past three days but snow fall during this period made it very difficult to identify any clues. Today's fine weather allowed for some snow melt which exposed the body and presented the opportunity for search members during a helicopter air search. The extraction of the body by the ACR members and Aspiring Helicopter using a strop had added challenges due to the winter conditions, step terrain and the risk of falling debris.

Wanaka Police SAR Coordinator, Sgt Nicholson said it was proud of the work done by the Wanaka Land SAR team. It was not the outcome we had hoped for as we always hold on to the hope that we will find someone alive. The next best thing we can do is recover the body for the families.

Wanaka Police and Wanaka Land SAR would like to extend their sympathy to the family of Mr STOKENBORG.

The family of Mr STOKENBORG have been informed and this matter has know been referred to the Coroner.