KEY POINTS:
Trampers in Mt Aspiring National Park found on Thursday what appeared to be human remains that police indicate could be those of an elderly English tourist lost in the area 13 months ago.
The remains, recovered by police and the Wanaka Search and Rescue unit yesterday, were found in an un-named creek in the South Siberia Valley.
Wanaka police acting Sergeant Emma Fleming said they would be examined by a Dunedin pathologist this week and the matter had been referred to a coroner.
In March last year tourist Derek Hawkins, 72, went missing while tramping in the area but despite an extensive search at the time he was not located.
Ms Fleming said Mr Hawkins next-of-kin in Britain had been advised of the find.
She added the remains were located in an area near the focus of the search for Mr Hawkins.
"It would be very pleasing to bring his family some closure should the remains be those of Mr Hawkins."
The retired Sheffield University lecturer, who suffered from angina, was last seen on the morning of March 29 beginning a planned four-hour walk to Crucible Lake in Siberia Valley.
When his main haversack was discovered abandoned in the Siberia Hut, more than 30 search and rescue personnel using dogs and helicopters searched for four days.
No trace of him was found.
- NZPA
