KEY POINTS:
A woman who went missing in the Peel Forest area of Mid Canterbury yesterday has been found safe and well and has been reunited with her parents.
About 50 police search and rescue team volunteers from Timaru, Fairlie, Tekapo, Waimate and Methven joined the search using a helicopter this morning after a smaller team failed to locate 24-year-old Katrina Crabbe of Ashburton last night.
Constable Greg Sutherland said she was found safe and well in thick bush about 10.30am. She was airlifted out at around lunchtime and is now recovering in Ashburton Hospital.
Mr Sutherland said the woman was lightly clad, had no food and was unprepared for a night in the bush.
She went for a walk in Peel Forest yesterday afternoon, but became lost and used her cellphone while at the Little Mt Peel Shelter to call her mother and tell her she was in a predicament, he said.
A team of 12 volunteers combed the area until midnight without success.
Mr Sutherland said searchers this morning concentrated on the Emily Stream area.
He said: "In our changeable climate and terrain you need to be prepared for anything when you set out."
- NZPA, NZHERALD STAFF
