‘Superhero’ outdoors accident victim mourned
An experienced climber, who died while hunting in a popular South Island national park, will be remembered as a ‘‘superhero’’ father, his family say.
Stuff understands that Paul James Laurie, of Brooklyn, near Motueka, was hunting and climbing with his best friend, who he had climbed with over many years, when he slipped and fell off a bluff in the Kea Basin on Mt Earnslaw last Saturday.
The 62-year-old’s body was found near Earns- law Hut, near Glenorchy in Mt Aspiring National Park, about 8.20pm. It was unclear how far he had fallen.
Laurie leaves behind two daughters, Shae and Briar Laurie. His eldest daughter, Shae, said her father’s death had come as a shock to the family.
Laurie was an experienced climber who enjoyed anything to do with the outdoors, and tramping, kayaking and hunting were some of his favourite pastimes, she said.
‘‘He was the most special and wonderful [father] – he was a superhero.’’
Laurie had lived in Southland, Queenstown, and more recently in the Nelson region, where he was a member of the New Zealand Alpine Club’s Nelson-Marlborough section.
According to the ClimbNZ website, Mt Earnslaw
consists of two major peaks – the East and West Peaks – and reaches a height of 2830 metres. The Department of Conservation website describes the tracks around the Earnslaw Hut as an advanced climb which goes through sub-alpine tussock.
Laurie’s death has been referred to the coroner. Police are continuing to investigate.
In 2015, experienced climber Simon Bell, 33, from Wellington, was killed in a fall while climbing between the mountain’s peaks. His body has never been recovered.
A memorial service to celebrate Laurie’s life was to be held at his special tramping spot at the end of Moke Lake Rd in Queenstown today at 1pm.