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Teams searching for missing man Connor Purvis have located a body high on the southern side of Mount Huxley about 9am this morning. 

While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the missing 20-year-old, who intended to climb Mt Huxley late last month, police say. 

“This was hard work, in a remote, rugged and high-risk environment,” said Otago Coastal Search and Rescue co-ordinator Sergeant Matt Sheat. 

Purvis, 20, intended to climb Mt Huxley in the Southern Alps about December 30, then descend via the Huxley River South Branch. 

However, he failed to return as expected, prompting what police earlier said was a “significant search effort”. 

Sheat said police would like to thank all those who assisted in the search efforts, including multiple local volunteers and search teams such as the Omarama volunteer fire brigade, and members of the public “who reported information to help us understand our search area”. 

“It’s been a long, tough week for all involved,” he said. 

“This has been a true team effort and the good people of Omarama and Mackenzie have been providing incredible support to the search teams.” 

In particular, police said they wanted to extend their thanks to the following agencies: 

• Omarama Land Search and Rescue 
• Oamaru Land Search and Rescue 
• Wanaka Land Search and Rescue 
• Dunedin Land Search and Rescue 
• Mackenzie Land Search and Rescue 
• Otago Amateur Radio Emergency Communications 
• Oamaru Amateur Radio Emergency Communications 
• Mt Cook Department of Conservation Alpine Cliff Rescue Team 
• Queenstown Alpine Cliff Rescue 
• Wanaka Swiftwater, Canyon Search and Rescue Team 
• Heliventures (Oamaru) 
• Helicopter Line (Mt Cook) 

Police said they are grateful to Purvis’ friends and family for their input and assistance with the search. 

“Our thoughts and sympathies go out to them during this difficult time,” Sheat said.