The fourth edition of the popular television reality show, Gulder Ultimate Search, which transmission was initially billed to begin on Thursday, suffered a setback on Saturday with the death of one of the 10 contestants.

A statement by the organiser's Corporate Communication Adviser, Mr. Chuma Igwe, on Sunday said the contestant, Mr. Anthony Mudiaga Ogadje, died ”in what appears to have been a drowning accident” in Shere Hills Lake, Jos, Plateau State.

The statement added that all attempts by the medical team, the lifeguards and his colleagues to revive him failed.

The deceased, aged 25, was a graduate of geology from the Delta State University, Abraka.

His family had since been duly informed while efforts were on as at press time to conduct autopsy on his remains in order to ascertain the actual cause of his death.

Meanwhile, the organisers of the search have suspended it until further notice.

The stakes for the search for ”Golden Age” are high.

Beneath the jagged stones of Shere Hills is buried a treasure and the ultimate man or woman who finds it is expected to smile home with N5m cash prize, a new Ford Explorer jeep and N500, 000 wardrobe allowance.

The cold ambience of Shere Hills is said to be a natural home to monkeys, snakes, scorpions and wild mountain goats.

The first edition of the search took place on the Snake Island, Lagos; the second at Obudu Ranch Resort in Cross River State; while the third was held in Edo State.