28 Apr 2015

Missing tramper believed swept away

12:23 pm on 28 April 2015

Searchers looking for an American university student, last seen tramping in Mt Aspiring National Park two days ago, believe she has been swept away in a river.

The 20-year-old was tramping in the national park with a group of overseas students but became separated from the others on Saturday afternoon.

Police Search and Rescue Coordinator Sergeant Aaron Nicholson said an extensive search yesterday turned up a number of items of clothing and the missing woman's backpack near the high water mark of the Young River.

He said the location and condition of the items indicated that the woman had probably been swept away in the river but the search for further signs of her would continue today.