Canterbury Police Search and Rescue (SAR) and members from Alpine Cliff Rescue (ACR) recovered the body of a man at approximately 8.30pm tonight (21 December 2014) from a remote and technically difficult location in the Port Hills near Christchurch.
Canterbury Police were alerted by a member of the public to the discovery of a body in a rock fall area near Castle Rock at approximately 2pm this afternoon and arrived at the scene a short time later. Canterbury Police SAR and ACR specialists recovered the deceased on foot as the deteriorating weather conditions prevented the use of a helicopter.
The death has been referred to the coroner who will determine the cause of death.
No details of the deceased man will be released until formal identification has taken place and next of kin are fully informed.
Police investigations are continuing.
Canterbury Police are not prepared to make any comment on who this man may be until the formal identification process has been completed.
ENDS
Issued by: Lisa-Marie Brooks, District Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District. Mobile: 021 942 404