Telltale signs before tragic walker died

A SURVIVAL expert has told the Hobart Coroners Court a bushwalker was showing signs of hypothermia when he pressed on alone despite invitations to join other walkers.

Trevor John Tolputt, 55, a former Tasmanian who had moved to Queensland, set out on the Overland Track from Ronny Creek north of Cradle Mountain on July 9, 2016, and was due to finish on July 14.

Mr Tolputt’s body was found by fellow bushwalker Simon Cubbin on the morning of July 15, about 600-700m from Narcissus Hut, on the northern end of Lake St Clair.

The inquest previously heard Mr Tolputt had been walking through heavy snow for two days before his death.

The inquest also heard Mr Tolputt declined invitations from Mr Cubbin and another group of walkers to accompany them along the way.

Survival medicine specialist Paul Luckin told the inquest the onset of hypothermia could explain Mr Tolputt’s decision to keep walking on his own.

Mr Cubbin and his family encountered Mr Tolputt about 4.15pm on July 14 and asked him to accompany them to Narcissus Hut.

“I think at that stage he was severely hypothermic … the fact that he declined to walk with Mr Cubbin suggests he was not thinking clearly,” Dr Luckin said.

He said once Mr Tolputt reached the point where he lay on the ground there was “zero” chance he could have been retrieved and resuscitated.

“The most likely time of death would have been within two hours of the time he was last seen,” Dr Luckin said.

He said Mr Tolputt was not wearing adequate layers of clothing and his jacket was not fully waterproof and breathable.

“I would not walk in those conditions wearing the type of jacket Mr Tolputt was wearing,” he said.

In response to questioning, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service regional manager North-West Nic Deka said the Overland Track booking system potentially encouraged some people to walk in winter to avoid paying the fee.

The inquest, continues.