Christchurch man's death not suspicious

Rex Leslie Taylor died between October 23 and 25, 2012 after falling down a slip in rugged bush terrain.

A Christchurch man who fell down a steep slip in hill country near Ross and was not reported missing for weeks, had been voluntarily clearing tracks before his accidental death.

The coroner today ruled Rex Leslie Taylor died between October 23 and 25, 2012 after falling down a slip in rugged bush terrain.

Coroner Richard McElrea said it highlighted the importance of carrying a personal locator beacon, and alerting someone of a due date out from a remove locations.

However, that would not have altered the outcome in this case, Mr McElrea said.

Mr Taylor was found dead on December 16, 2012 in the upper Mikonui River area.

He had been working in the area for some days or weeks clearing tracks as part of the group Permolat. He was known to enjoy his own company and spent a lot of time in the hills voluntarily upgrading and maintaining tracks and huts.

On October 23, when two hunters at a hut offered him food, he declined, and was noticeably thin. He did not appear to have much food with him.

He packed everything up, was loud and aggressive as he left talking to himself. The hunter was left with the impression he had mental health issues and did not want to talk to them.

Mr Taylor left an entry in the hut logbook indicating that he would be out '25 October'. A police search commenced on November 6 and was suspended three days later. A private helicopter found the body on December 16.

"It was apparent he had fallen a considerable distance," Mr McElrea said.

Mental health services had no record of Mr Taylor.

His sister Lorraine De Witt said he preferred his own company. She suspected he may have been suffering from Aspergers syndrome, but to her knowledge had not been diagnosed. After his death she came across a couple of pamphlets about autism at his house.

His bag contained medication, which suggested he had a cold.

During the initial search, police found several pieces of bedroll and a blue tarpaulin.

The coroner said there was no evidence his death was intention, and the evidence pointed to it being accidental.

Although a locator beacon would not have saved Mr Taylor, the coroner recommended his findings be publicised through Federated Mountain Clubs, with the emphasis on the desirability of carrying a locator beacon, and alerting someone to the due date out.

- Greymouth Star