Tourist found dead not equipped for glacier - police

The Franz Josef Glacier. Photo / Supplied

The Korean tourist whose body was found yesterday near Franz Josef glacier was not equipped adequately for the terrain, police said.

A police search and rescue operation was launched yesterday for Ergine Cho, 31, when it was discovered his rental car had been parked at the Franz Josef glacier carpark since last Thursday.

His body was found yesterday afternoon and airlifted out. He has been taken to Christchurch for a post-mortem examination today and his family has been advised.

Constable Paul Gurney told Newstalk ZB Mr Cho had gone beyond the end of one of the walking tracks and he had fallen up to 80 metres down a steep bluff.

"If he was walking along the track, he would have been OK but he was not equipped in any way to enable him to negotiate the terrain he fell in."

- NZHERALD STAFF