A FEMALE hiker died while trespassing on a restricted area of the Wolong National Nature Reserve in Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, local authorities said yesterday.

According to a statement by the reserve’s administration, a police investigation showed the hiker, surnamed Wang, died in accidental circumstances. Her body was retrieved with the help of 16 local villagers yesterday.

The 46-year old hiker, who was from Chongqing Municipality, set off from Chengdu to Wolong with six fellow hikers, according to previous media reports.

On Tuesday morning, while on their way back, the group realized that Wang was missing and later found her body one kilometer from their camp, where the altitude is about 4,500 meters above sea level.

The administration said it is illegal to hike in that area. All six hikers in Wang’s group were fined 5,000 yuan (US$722), according to the law, and are required to pay for their medical aid expenses.

In view of the death of the victim, no administrative penalties will be imposed. The cost of transporting her body and funeral will be paid by Wang’s family. At present, the victim’s family and her hiking companions have left Wolong. (China Daily)