Mountain rescue team searching for missing British hiker in New Zealand find a body at the foot of a cliff

  • Hiker Andrew Ian Wyatt, 41, last seen leaving a lodge near Nelson, South Island on December 15
  • Police confirmed a body has been found below 330ft Lake Constance Bluff
  • Body yet to be identified, but was discovered on Mr Wyatt's trek route

By Lizzie Edmonds

Published: 03:26 EST, 27 December 2013 | Updated: 10:03 EST, 27 December 2013


Missing: Andrew Ian Wyatt was last seen two weeks ago leaving a lodge near Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Missing: Andrew Ian Wyatt was last seen two weeks ago leaving a lodge near Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Mountain rescuers searching for a British hiker in New Zealand have recovered a body at the bottom of a cliff, police have said.

Andrew Ian Wyatt, 41, thought to be from Cornwall, was last seen leaving a lodge in Nelson Lakes National Park near the city of Nelson in the country's south island on December 15.

The body, which has yet to be formally identified, was found below the 330ft Lake Constance Bluff - part of Mr Wyatt's intended tramping trail.

New Zealand police said bad weather had prevented the expert alpine searchers from accessing the area earlier.

Four ground teams, one dog team and a communications team were then flown by helicopter to the region to begin the search.

Search co-ordinator Constable Dave Cogger said he was in daily contact with Mr Wyatt's parents in the UK who were extremely concerned for their son's welfare.

Mr Wyatt arrived in New Zealand on November 21 with the intention of walking the Te Araroa Trail - a 1,860-mile tramping trail which links routes from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

On the day he went missing he left the Blue Lake Hut about 6am local time to walk to Waiau Pass.

The area between the last sighting of Mr Wyatt and his next intended destination was 'one of the more remote and difficult parts' of the trail, the training officer for Search and Rescue Nelson said.

 

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Sherp Tucker told local paper the Sunday Star Times: 'It's rugged, it's remote and the weather can change so much.

'It's a frequent place for the rescue helicopter to go to beacon activations for people who are hurt.'

Hiker

Trek: The hiker was last seen leaving popular trek stop the Blue Lake Hut, pictured, at 6am on December 15

Trek: The hiker was last seen leaving popular trek stop the Blue Lake Hut, pictured, at 6am on December 15

Last seen: The hut is located in a remote part of the the Nelson Lakes National Park, pictured

Last seen: The hut is located in a remote part of the the Nelson Lakes National Park, pictured

Location: Mr Wyatt was due to walk the Waiau Pass in the Nelson Lakes National Park, pictured. A body was found at the bottom of Lake Constance Bluff on the route

Location: Mr Wyatt was due to walk the Waiau Pass in the Nelson Lakes National Park, pictured. A body was found at the bottom of Lake Constance Bluff on the route