Body of British tramper found in Arthurs Pass

The body of an English tramper who went missing in Arthur's Pass five days ago was recovered this afternoon by searchers.

Elizabeth Thomson, 55, failed to return to the Arthur's Pass Youth Hostel after a day tramp on Saturday.

Her backpack was found, with empty sandwich bags, a water bottle and car keys at the edge of bush on Mount Aicken at an altitude of 1700m the following day.

Canterbury police search and rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Peter Summerfield said Ms Thomson's body was found about 2.30pm in the Grahams Stream area.

It appeared to have been there for several days, he said.

Ms Thomson's son, David, and daughter, Alexandra, arrived this morning and joined more than 30 police and civilian searchers scouring the area. They had been informed of the discovery, Mr Summerfield said.

Ms Thomson's body was taken to Arthur's Pass village this afternoon.

Search teams were being withdrawn and the operation was winding down.

"We are very saddened with the result," he said.

Police would prepare a report for the Christchurch coroner.

Mr Summerfield said Ms Thomson's children had been unaware of the scale of the search operation until they were flown over the search area by helicopter.

"They didn't realise how big the area was," he said.

"They didn't realise how difficult the terrain was, how hard it was to see searchers in the field or how hard it was to see through the bush canopy," he said.

"It wasn't anything like they'd expected."

Mr Summerfield said Ms Thomson's son and daughter were obviously saddened that the search had ended tragically, but had thanked searchers for their efforts over the last five days.

"They gave heartfelt thanks to all the searchers who have been here since Sunday. They obviously appreciated their efforts."

- NZPA