An American student who died while trying to negotiate a flooded river in Mt Aspiring National Park last month was a "sweet and caring" person, according to her fellow students.
Allison Willen, 20, is thought to have been caught up in the overflow of Young River on April 25 while trying to walk Otago's Young Valley walking track.
Sergeant Aaron Nicholson told the Otago Daily Times she had been separated from her friends in heavy rain and winds.
''She didn't cross the river, she hasn't made a bad decision to cross the river," he said.
"She's just been walking the track and gotten to bits where the river has swelled over the track quite significantly, so she's had to negotiate that. So I would anticipate a realistic situation where she has fallen or tripped or slipped into that water.''
Search and rescue volunteers found Ms Willen's body in Young River on Saturday following a lengthy search.
Ms Willen had been studying at the University of Otago but spent some time at Eckard College in the US state of Florida.
In a statement released to local media, the college's dean of students Jim Annarelli paid tribute to Ms Willen's outstanding commitment to study and friends.
"Ally Willen is widely known and well-loved by Eckerd students, faculty and staff," it reads.
"Few can rival the seriousness of her approach to her studies, her commitment to the service of others both here and abroad, her sweet and caring personality, and her incredible enthusiasm and zest for life."
Ms Willen had been involved in several charity events at the college including an annual bone marrow registration drive, food drives, mentoring for children in foster care and helping residents at a local rehabilitation centre, Mr Annarelli said.
The death has been referred to the coroner.
3 News
source: newshub archive
