Swimmer dies after jumping off cliff

A 20-year-old Nelson man is dead after jumping off a cliff top more than 20-metres-high into a river below while swimming with friends yesterday afternoon.

Christopher Arthur Elliott died after he landed awkwardly in the water in Aniseed Valley in the Busch Reserve, 24km southwest of Nelson, Constable Marty Tutton of Richmond said.

Mr Elliott surfaced after his jump but then slipped below the surface and was quickly pulled from the water.

However, efforts by friends and ambulance officers to resuscitate him failed and he died at the scene, Mr Tutton said in a statement.

Before he jumped, Mr Elliott had watched a friend jump safely from the cliff top into the river.

His death will be investigated by the coroner and a post mortem will be conducted.

- NZPA