Police holding out hope for missing woman

Police are still hoping a missing Christchurch woman may be alive, after a helicopter with thermal-imaging gear failed to find her in the area of her crashed car.

Searchers have been trying to find Emma Campbell, 28, since her car was found over a bank in the Port Hills near Christchurch early on Saturday morning.

The helicopter flew over the area this morning but did not locate anything, Canterbury search and rescue coordinator Sergeant Craig Prior said.

A ground-team and a dog handler were searching today, and buildings around nearby Victoria Park were being checked.

Ms Campbell was last seen at her flat in suburban Bryndwr on Friday night and her car was heard leaving the property about 5.30am the following day.

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

Mr Prior said "more unsavoury" options were being considered, although police were hoping Ms Campbell had walked away from the car and was simply dazed or confused about where she was.

Ms Campbell's car had been removed from the crash site and was to be examined today.

"We'll get a finger print officer to check the exterior, mainly the boot area to make sure it hasn't been pushed over the side."

Further examination had shown the crash had caused only minor damage, indicating Ms Campbell was not thrown from the car.

"There's very little damage to the car, so it's a low-speed sort of an incident," he said.

Mr Prior said Ms Campbell's family were holding up well.

"Obviously they're anxious and concerned, but they're very positive people which is good. They're involved which is helping them through the process and they're still hopeful, as we all are, that Emma's fine."

- NZPA