Deceased Tramper located

Wanaka Police have released the name of the tramper who died on 31/12/11 while climbing Mt Twilight in the Mt Aspiring National Park. The deceased is 60 year old Michael Gillard Taylor from Wellington.

Wanaka Police SAR Coordinator Senior Constable Mike Johnston said Mr Taylor was a member of the Tararua Tramping club whose members were on their annual Christmas tramping trip in the Wilkin Valley at the time of this incident. Mr Taylor had set off on 31/12/11 for a day's solo climb of Mt Twilight and failed to return to the Top Forks hut that evening. Members of the group raised the alarm by Mt radio early the following day.

Wanaka Police were informed of the situation at 11am on the 01/01/12 and a search was conducted by members of the Wanaka Police Search and Rescue and Wanaka Land SAR. At 3.30pm that day Mr Taylor's body was located in a steep rocky section on the northern aspect of Mt Twilight during a helicopter search. His body was recovered and taken to Wanaka. Wanaka Police believe that there are no next of kin in New Zealand and are making inquiries overseas in an attempt to inform family members. The matter has been referred to the Coroner.