A 32-year-old Christchurch woman died when tramping on the West Coast today.
Acting Senior Sergeant Wayne Corbett, of Tasman Police, said the woman was swept down a river when tramping with four other people about 3km up Deception Valley, towards Goat Valley, near Otira.
"They were making their third crossing of the Deception River when she became detached from her group and was swept downstream.''
The trampers found the woman about 1km downstream.
The trampers attempted to resuscitate the woman and emergency services attended but she died at the scene.
The tramping party activated their emergency position indicating radio beacon about 11am and a rescue chopper and other emergency services staff went straight to the scene, he said.
The woman's body was flown to Greymouth.
Inquiries into the death were continuing and the woman's name would be released after the family were contacted.
''It's been a sad start to the year on the West Coast and our thoughts are with the victim's family and friends,'' Acting Snr Sgt Corbett said.
