Hiker dies on Milford Track walk

Steep hills surround the small settlement at Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park. Photo / Greg Bowker

A man has died after falling at least 100m during a hike with a group in a national park.

The 65 year-old Auckland man was believed to be tramping with a Rotary group staying at Department of Conservation huts in Fiordland National Park.

The accident happened near the highest point on the Milford Track at about 11.30am yesterday.

Police said the accident happened on a steep section of the track but the cause of the man's fall, near Mackinnon Pass, was not yet established.

Noel Saxon, Ultimate Hikes general manager, said people on one of his company's walks encountered the group.

"Our guys came across some packs on the side of the track and they knew there was something going wrong off the track."

He understood the group with the 65-year-old man had a locator beacon, which was activated when the accident happened.

Mr Saxon said the man's companions, none of whom were injured, were shocked and distressed after the tragedy.

"Our sympathies are with the family and particularly the man's wife who was also walking the track," Mr Saxon added.

He said the track was well-used and although there was some cloud, there was good visibility and no reports of heavy rain or other wild weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Mr Saxon said all trampers on Ultimate Hikes Guided Walks on Milford Track were safe.

The police Southern District Command Centre (DCC) confirmed the man died yesterday and it was understood he had sustained head injuries.

A rescue helicopter was sent to the area with a medic and winch operator. The helicopter then took the man's body to Te Anau.

His death has been referred to the coroner.