Cliff victim was 'taking in views'

A German man who died after plunging down a 30m cliff at Curio Bay this week had shortly before told his wife he wanted to take in the views at the site, police said.

Sergeant Stan Leishman, of Gore, said Andreas Killatt, 46, and his wife went for a walk at Curio Bay on Wednesday afternoon.

While at the top of the cliff, near the Curio Bay carpark on the Waikawa-Curio Bay road, Mr Killatt told his wife Lina he wanted to remain behind and take in the views and tranquillity of the area, Mr Leishman said.

His wife left but when Mr Killatt didn't return for several hours she went looking for him. It is understood she alerted authorities after seeing his body on the rocks.

Police had not determined whether Mr Killatt's death was an accident, but there were no suspicious circumstances, Mr Leishman said. The matter had been referred to the coroner.

The couple had been managing the Dolphin Lodge Backpackers at Curio Bay and had lived in the area about nine months.

They had been backpacking around the world and had wanted to head to Canada fairly soon, Niagara Falls cafe manager Julie Earwaker said.

- © Fairfax NZ News