KEY POINTS:
An American woman tramper has survived three nights and four days on her own in bush west of National Park Village, police disclosed tonight.
The 21-year-old student, who has not been named, endured tough conditions in Erua Forest with no food, little water and inadequate clothing and footwear.
No one searched for her because no one knew she was missing.
The woman set out on a local track on Monday without telling anyone where she was going.
She lost her way, slept under trees and in small caves and tried hard to find a way out.
On Thursday morning she found herself back on part of the track she recognised and then came across two British hikers who took almost four hours to get her back to safety.
The woman was taken to hospital for treatment for cuts, scratches and swollen feet.
National park police officer Tony Carne said the woman is now fine and plans to start work as planned on an Ashburton dairy farm early next month.
- NZPA
