Tramper dies in Ruahine Range

Photo / file

A man who died while hunting in a remote area of Hawke's Bay is believed to have suffered a medical condition, emergency services say.

A rescue helicopter was alerted to the incident when a personal locator beacon was activated about 6.45pm last night in the Ruahine Range.

Police said the man, who is yet to be formally identified, was with a hunting companion at the time.

He is believed to be in his late 50s.

Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter pilot Jeremy Bruce said the pair were in the Longfellow area when they were found.

"We managed to find an area to winch our paramedic down."

The patient was already deceased, he said.

While an autopsy was yet to be performed, it is understood he died from a medical condition, Mr Bruce and police said.

"It wasn't a shooting, it wasn't a fall," Mr Bruce said.

Police said further details would not be released until the man's next of kin had been advised.

APNZ tf