Missing hiker found dead after fall on Federation Peak: Wind prevents immediate retrieval by helicopter
High winds have prevented the immediate retrieval of a bushwalker’s body after he fell to his death at Federation Peak. Here’s the latest.
Police & Courts
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5pm July 24: The search for a solo bushwalker missing on a rugged southwest Tasmania mountain range has become a recovery mission after his body was spotted by rescue teams.
The 27-year-old British-born New Zealand citizen who was visiting Tasmania from his home in Melbourne set out to walk the 72km Eastern Arthur Range Traverse in the state’s South West on Tuesday, July 16. Police had earlier described him as coming from NSW but corrected his origin as more details became available.
He was reported overdue by friends when he failed to return as planned at the weekend.
Winds of more than 100km/h and low temperatures made aerial search efforts more difficult and five ground parties were dispatched to the area as part of the search.
The walker was last seen by a Parks Service remote-sensing camera on Thursday and texted his partner from the vicinity of Federation Peak.
Tasmania Police Inspector Colin Riley said the man’s body had been sighted in the vicinity of Federation Peak at 10am on Wednesday. It appeared he had fallen.
There has been 20 rescues and sixth deaths in the vicinity of the 1125m peak in the past decade.
“The walker fell on one of the approaches to Federation Peak,” Inspector Riley said.
“One of the search teams on the ground located a beanie, gloves and a backpack cover, which then led to a further search around that location and then he was located just off the cliff face.
“It was a significant fall in a very hazardous area and at this stage the searchers haven’t been able to physically go to the walker and that will be the process over the next couple of days.
“Where the walker is, the helicopter can’t do the retrieval, so we’re going to have to rope the walker out to a platform and then hopefully the helicopter can do the retrieval at that point.
“The problem is it’s very difficult winds up there – 100km/h gusts – so the next available opportunity will be on Friday or possibly Sunday, so it is going to take some time.
“His partner is here, his brother is coming today and they are obviously distressed at the news, but they get some solace that he was out doing what he enjoyed doing.”
Inspector Riley said a report would be prepared for the Coroner. The man’s name has not yet been released.
He was an experienced walker who had previously completed a walk of the Western Arthur Range and similar walks,
Inspector Riley said there was always an element of risk in any activity, but those venturing into the Tasmanian bush should take sensible precautions for their own safety.
“The only advice I give to other walkers is take a personal location device, use a satellite phone, walk with somebody else and give good indications of when you’ll be back and when to raise the alert,” he said.
The 72-km Eastern Arthurs Traverse is exposed to atrocious weather and features steep, rough and unmarked tracks through high cliffs and rock scrambles, the Parks Service says.
“The challenges of this walk are not to be underestimated. It should be completed by walkers with significant experience in remote, alpine conditions,” the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service website notes.
The six- to nine-day trip includes the option to climb of the sheer summit of Federation Peak, which attracts walkers from all over the world.
The first man to summit Mt Everest, Sir Edmund Hillary, described it as “‘Australia’s only real mountain”.
The first ascent was not until 1949, by a party from Geelong College led by explorer John Bechervaise.
A coronial report into the death of a walker in similar circumstances in the same area in 2016 noted the challenging nature of the walk.
“It is notorious that Federation Peak is a dangerous and extremely challenging mountain to climb, Coroner Simon Cooper noted.
“A number of deaths have occurred as a result of falls from the mountain over the last few years.”
July 24, 1pm: A solo bushwalker missing in rugged terrain in southwest Tasmania has been found dead after falling.
Inspector Colin Riley said police believe the 27-year-old New Zealand national fell from a height in the vicinity of Federation Peak.
“A friend of the man alerted police on Monday afternoon, after he had not been in contact over the weekend as planned,” he said.
“He had been planning to finish the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse near West Picton Road on Saturday or Sunday, after setting off from the Huon River Campground last Tuesday.”
“Initial checks were undertaken on Monday afternoon, before a search operation involving multiple ground crews and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter was launched yesterday morning.”
“Sadly, the man’s body was located by a search crew about 10am today, near Federation Peak.”
“The retrieval of the man will require both ground and aerial resources and it is expected to take some days for emergency service personnel to safely undertake this due to the terrain and weather conditions.”
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones, and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.”
July 23, 2.24pm: A walker overdue on a walk in rugged alpine terrain does not have a personal locator beacon, police believe.
“A ground search crew is being deployed to the Eastern Arthur Range this afternoon as the search for an overdue bushwalker in Tasmania’s Southwest continues,” police said.
Search Controller Ben Cunningham said the 27-year-old man from New South Wales set off from the Huon Campground last Tuesday about 2pm.
“The man had told friends he was planning to finish the Eastern Arthur Range Traverse near West Picton Road on Saturday or Sunday, but has not been in contact as planned,” he said.
“Police were called shortly after 4pm yesterday, after a friend reported he was overdue and had not been in touch since Friday.
“Initial checks were undertaken yesterday, and aerial searches began this morning once weather conditions allowed.”
“A ground search crew of four police, two wilderness paramedics and four SES volunteers is being deployed this afternoon.
“The Eastern Arthur Range Traverse is challenging, and would take most experienced bushwalkers six to nine days to complete.”
“While he is reported to be an experienced bushwalker, we don’t believe the man is in possession of a Personal Locator Beacon.”
Anyone with further information is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 247-22072024.
July 23, 12.37pm: The Eastern Arthurs traverse, where the search continues for an overdue bushwalker, is regarded as one of Tasmania’s most difficult and exposed treks.
The 79-km grade 5 walk is exposed to atrocious weather, and features steep, rough and unmarked track through high cliffs and rock scrambles, the Parks Service says.
“The challenges of this walk are not to be underestimated. It should be completed by walkers with significant experience in remote, alpine conditions,” the parks website notes.
It features an optional climb of Tasmania’s most difficult mountain, the 1225m Federation Peak, which attracts walkers from all over the world.
Police are continuing their search for a solo walker, who the Mercury understands is a 27-year-old NSW man.
He set out from Scotts Peak Dam on Tuesday and was last heard of in the vicinity of Federation Peak on Friday.
The experienced bushwalker was expected to be back in contact on Saturday.
July 23, 9.25am: An experienced bushwalker tackling rugged terrain of a multi-day hike along the Eastern Arthurs Traverse hasn’t made contact with friends as planned since last Friday, police say.
Officers said the man in his 20s set off for the hike last Tuesday and was due to finish the walk over the weekend.
A search operation is underway with the Westpac rescue helicopter assisting the efforts.
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