Cyclist dies on Otago bike trail

File photo / NZ Herald

The body of a 65-year-old cyclist has been recovered from a bank near an Otago cycle track today.

The man died while cycling to the Lake Ohau Lodge on the Omarama section of the Alps 2 Ocean Trail yesterday, Southern District Deployment Coordinator Acting Senior Sergeant Ben Butterfield said.

He was found about 10.15pm just off the cycling track about two metres down a small bank, about 1.5km from the Lake Ohau Lodge end of the track, by a Search and Rescue (SAR) team.

The man's next of kin were still in the process of informing members of the extended family, so police were not yet releasing his name.

There were no suspicious circumstances and the matter had been referred to the coroner, Mr Butterfield said.

Police were alerted the man was overdue to his destination just after 8pm.

The man, who was visiting the area, left the Lake Ohau Lodge about 3.45pm, with the intention of cycling to the Historic Woolshed on Quailburn Road, Quailburn.

When he failed to arrive at the Woolshed a small SAR operation was initiated, Mr Butterfield said.

He was confirmed dead at the scene by SAR staff, who remained at the site overnight.