Person dies on Mount Taranaki after being struck by boulder

A tramper has died on Mount Taranaki. Photo / Bevan Conley

A person died while tramping on Mount Taranaki on Sunday.

Police were called after a person was critically injured on the mountain at about 4pm.

Loose scree from the slopes dislodged a large boulder which struck the male, who died at the scene, police said.

Taranaki Police extended their condolences to the whānau and friends of the deceased.

Police Search and Rescue, assisted by the Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust team and members of the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue team worked to recover the body of the deceased.

Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue member Jeremy Beckers was flown out by rescue helicopter to the incident just after the sun had set on Sunday.

“Our job was to get the gentleman off who had been killed,” Beckers said.

Beckers understands the tramper was travelling with someone else when he was struck from above by the boulder.

“He was hit by a large rock... they come down pretty hard when they fall,” Beckers said.

The man appeared to have been killed by the boulder on the main route towards the summit, around 2000 metres up.

Beckers said most alpine people would be aware of the risk of rocks and ice falling on Mount Taranaki.

DOC Taranaki Operations Manager Gareth Hopkins said the fatality occurred at the North Ridge of Mt Taranaki Summit Track.

“The death of the tramper yesterday is a reminder of the inherent risks of recreation in the alpine environment. People planning to visit Taranaki Maunga and undertake these activities need to understand the danger the mountain presents.

“Our condolences go to those impacted by yesterday’s incident,” Hopkins said.

Taranaki Mountain Shuttles won’t operate on Tuesday and Wednesday while the company observes a rahui “out of respect and cultural protocol” after the death.

The bus company said the rahui would last two days “or as long as directed”

The death will be referred to the Coroner.