Kiwi globe-trotter dies in Europe

A New Zealand tourist has been found dead on a steep hillside in Germany a week after police say he went binge-drinking to "get fit for Oktoberfest".

Richard Paterson, 23, of Waitahuna, near Dunedin, had been drinking with friends at the Andechs Monastery in Bavaria when he went missing.

Detectives said Mr Paterson had fallen down a steep hill, possibly from losing his bearings after several hours of beer drinking.

But Mr Paterson's father Murray Paterson yesterday denied claims his son had been heavily intoxicated.

He said Richard had been at the monastery bar only a short time and had not had much to drink.

"He definitely died in a fall but it doesn't sound like he had been drinking much - he was only there for three hours," Murray Paterson told the Herald on Sunday.

Immediately after the Patersons' only son went missing, police searched the monastery but failed to find any sign of him.

Then late last week, a large police search team was sent out to comb the countryside near Andechs.

Mr Paterson's body was eventually found about 30 metres below a steep hillside road on Thursday.

He had been on a dream trip when he died - travelling Europe for three months with two Kiwi friends.

In his final email to his parents, Mr Paterson wrote: "Hey, we arrived in town this morning for the Beerfest.

"Everyone has been telling us we had to get here early to get a good campsite.

"The fair starts on Saturday but there are a few events beforehand. We are looking around the city today and checking out the beer hall."

Murray Paterson said his son was going to spend only two days at the Beerfest before travelling to the Netherlands and then France.

Richard, a science graduate from Massey University, had just spent 15 months teaching English in South Korea.

On his travels, he had also been to Pamplona in Spain for the Running of the Bulls and had travelled back through Morocco.

"He was having a great time and everything was cut short," Murray Paterson said.

Mr Paterson's mother Jeanette and two younger sisters were "coping well under the circumstances", Murray Paterson said.

The family knew Mr Paterson was missing after two of his friends had raised the alarm when he didn't return to their van at the campsite after the trip to Andechs.

"His friends have been amazing and they really got things moving with the police and the search over there," Murray Paterson said.

"The locals have been great, too, and have taken the two boys into their homes during this nightmare."

Murray Paterson said his son was a vibrant young man who loved all sports, including waterskiing, mountain biking, martial arts and running.

He and a group of friends had recently spent time in Vietnam where Mr Paterson stayed long enough to get his black belt.

Murray and Jeanette Paterson were in the process of having his body returned to New Zealand.

"It might be up to seven days before we are able to have him home," said Mr Paterson.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY