24 Jan 2011

Australian tourist dies while tramping

4:09 pm on 24 January 2011

An Australian tourist has died while tramping in Fiordland.

He was James Poland, 48, of Launceston in Tasmania.

Police say James Poland, 48, of Launceston in Tasmania fell about 100 metres to his death on steep slopes overlooking Lake Adelaide.

They say Mr Poland set off alone on a three-day trek from Homer Hut to the Lower Hollyford Road.

His wife and children alerted emergency services on Sunday morning when he did not return from his trek and police launched an aerial search and rescue operation.

Police say they found the man's body just before 5pm on the Gertrude Saddle.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.