Swiss tramper found after night in the bush

The Swiss tramper was found early this morning, cold but unharmed. Photo / Thinkstock

A 27-year-old Swiss woman has been found "cold, but otherwise well", after spending a night in bush near Picton.

Police said the tourist had gone on a day-walk up Essens Valley when she sent a text message to a friend in Christchurch asking for help about 5.30pm.

She told her friend she had walked to a dam and then on to the summit.

Calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

Police said the woman was lightly clad and not equipped for a night in the bush.

Two search teams were called into the area, and scoured the bush until 3.30am without luck.

The search resumed at 6.30am, with two ground teams and a search and rescue dog.

The searchers came across the woman about 7.30am walking along a track.

Search coordinator Sergeant Bill Talbot said the woman was very cold, but otherwise well.

She told searchers she had heard them calling for her in the night, but the search teams had not heard her calling back due to river noise.

- Herald Online staff