Tributes have poured in for a “well-liked and respected” tramper who died while hiking in the Lake Ōhau area.
Teams searching for Connor Purvis located a body high on the southern side of Mt Huxley about 9am yesterday morning after a nearly week-long search.
While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing 20-year-old.
The New Zealand Mountain Safety said it was “devastated to learn of the tragic outcome” in the search for Purvis.
“Our sincere condolences go out to Connor’s family and friends, and everyone affected. Our thoughts are with you.
“We also want to acknowledge all those involved in the search effort. Thank you all for your mahi and ongoing commitment to outdoor safety.
Bike House Dunedin, where Purvis worked, said the team had been left “devastated” by the news.
“It is with extreme sadness that the Bike House team need to inform our community that a body has been found this morning in the Lake Ōhau area,” a statement said.
“Our team is devastated by this news. Connor was a well-liked and respected member of our team who will be sorely missed.
“We wish to pass on our sincere gratitude to all those professionals and volunteers who have spent time looking for Connor across the last few days.
“Our thoughts are with Connor’s family and friends at this deeply sad time.”
The store closed temporarily yesterday to allow staff to “support each other at this difficult time”.
The Otago and Southland Brass Bands Association also paid tribute to Purvis.
“[We] wish to extend our deepest condolences and sympathies to the family of Connor Purvis on the tragic loss of Connor,” a statement said.
“We also extend these sympathies to Kaikorai Metropolitan Brass Band and the wider Dunedin brass banding family on the loss of a respected and talented band member.”
Purvis intended to climb Mt Huxley in the Southern Alps about December 30, then descend via the Huxley River South Branch.
However, he failed to return as expected, prompting what police earlier said was a “significant search effort”, using drones, helicopters and land search and rescue teams.
“This was hard work, in a remote, rugged and high-risk environment,” said Otago Coastal Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat.
Sheat said police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts, including multiple local volunteers and search teams such as the Omarama volunteer fire brigade, and members of the public “who reported information to help us understand our search area”.
“It’s been a long, tough week for all involved,” he said.
“This has been a true team effort and the good people of Ōmarama and Mackenzie have been providing incredible support to the search teams.”
In particular, police said they wanted to extend their thanks to the following agencies:
Police said they are grateful to Purvis’ friends and family for their input and assistance with the search.
“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to them during this difficult time,” Sheat said.