A bushwalker has been tragically declared dead after being found on a remote and rugged Australian hiking trail on Christmas Day.
Emergency services were contacted about 12.30pm on Wednesday after hikers – including an off-duty police officer – found the 60-year-old man unconscious near a track on Cradle Mountain, in Tasmania.
On-duty Tasmania Police personnel shortly afterwards attended to the man near the intersection of the Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes tracks, but sadly pronounced him dead.
“Preliminary investigation indicates 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.
A 60-year-old man has been pronounced dead along a hiking trail on Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain (pictured) after being found unconscious by hikers
Cradle Mountain has become a popular tourist hotspot over the past decade, with an estimated 292,000 people traveling to the area last summer.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website urges walkers to ‘choose walks that suit your experience and fitness level’ and ‘not walk alone’.
Although the area is popular, it is still incredibly remote and there is little access to support for walkers who choose to brave the weather.
Some of the walks are among the longest and most arduous in the country.