The tramper who died yesterday (Tuesday, October 7) in Egmont National Park as she attempted to cross a stream swollen by heavy rain, has been formally identified as Diane May Campbell-Hunt.
Mrs Campbell-Hunt was 56 and living in Dunedin. She was a leading ecologist and botanist, and having been awarded a Top Achiever Doctoral Scholarship in 2006 had started her doctorate in the geopgraphy department at the University of Otago in September 2006.
She was also the author of a book about the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellington.
Mrs Campbell-Hunt's 17-year-old daughter was with her when the tragedy happened. It was she who raised the alarm on the cell phone launching a police-led search and rescue operation. Other family members joined the teenager last night in Taranaki and Victim Support has been put in place.