A bushwalker has tragically been declared dead after being found on a remote and rugged n hiking trail on Christmas Day.
Emergency services were contacted about 12.30pm on Wednesday after hikers – one of which was an off-duty police officer – found the 60-year-old man unresponsive by a track on Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania.
On-duty personnel from Tasmania Police attended to the man near the junction of Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes tracks soon after but sadly pronounced him dead.
‘Preliminary investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances,’ Tasmania Police said in a statement.
‘Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.’
The cause of death is unknown at this stage and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.
Cradle Mountain has become a popular tourist hotspot over the past decade, with an estimated 292,000 people travelling to the area last summer.
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website urges hikers to ‘choose walks suitable to your experience and fitness’ and to ‘avoid walking alone’.
While the area is popular, it is still incredibly remote with little access to support for hikers who choose to brave the weather.
Some of the hikes are amongst the longest and hardest-rated in the country.