A hiker has been tragically pronounced dead after being found on a remote and rugged Australian hiking trail on Christmas Day.
Emergency services were contacted about 12.30pm on Wednesday after hikers, one of whom was an off-duty police officer, found the 60-year-old man unconscious next to a track on Cradle Mountain in Tasmania. .
Tasmania Police on-duty personnel attended to the man near the junction of the Hansons Peak and Twisted Lakes tracks shortly afterwards but sadly pronounced him dead.
“Preliminary investigations suggest there are no suspicious circumstances,” Tasmania Police said in a statement.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.”
The cause of death is unknown at this time and a report will be prepared for the medical examiner.
A 60-year-old man was pronounced dead on a trail in Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain (pictured) after hikers discovered him unconscious.
Cradle Mountain has become a popular tourist spot over the last decade, with an estimated 292,000 people traveling to the area last summer.
The Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services website urges hikers to “choose walks appropriate to your experience and fitness level” and to “avoid walking alone.”
While the area is popular, it is still incredibly remote and has little access to support for hikers who decide to brave the weather.
Some of the hikes are among the longest and most difficult in the country.