Family appeal for help after police search ended

The family of missing Christchurch woman Emma Campbell have appealed for public help after police suspended their search yesterday.

The 28-year-old's crashed car was found over a bank in Christchurch's Port Hills shortly after she drove off from her Bryndwr home around 5.30am on Saturday.

But three days of ground and air searches of the area have failed to find any trace of her.

Police yesterday suspended the search saying they had not found anything to indicate where Ms Campbell had gone and would not return to the Port Hills search area unless new information came to light.

Ms Campbell's family said the situation was overwhelming and asked for anyone with information to come forward.

"I guess it's really, really hard because to say we are confused as to what has gone on is an understatement," family spokesman David Campbell told The Press.

"The more you start thinking about it, the more you go around in circles. It just makes it cruel."

Although police had stopped searching, the family might continue looking in the area, he said.

"We have searched high and low. Searching is something that gives everyone something to do.

"Now that [the searching] is finished from the police point of view, it's the most nerve-racking time for us. We have to work out where to go from here."

Canterbury search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Craig Prior said "more unsavoury" options were being considered, although there was nothing to indicate foul play.

The crash had caused only minor damage, indicating Ms Campbell was not thrown from the car. It was to be checked for finger prints to make sure it hadn't been pushed over the side.

Her wallet was found in the crashed car, and her shoes on a rough track nearby. Her cellphone was at her flat.

- NZPA