Missing Woman Found Alive And Well
New Zealand Police Southern News Release
3:10pm 11 September 2008
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4314

The South Otago woman who went missing early on Monday afternoon has been found alive and well.

Dianne Lane-Wright (45) was found by searchers today just after 11am.

The search had begun today at 9.15am with 10 searchers concentrating along the coastline in the Bull Creek district before widening the search to main access routes into the area, said Senior Sergeant Richard Whitmore.

About 11.05am a person was seen in a gully in the paddock where Mrs Lane-Wright's vehicle was originally located on Monday. The person responded to a voice appeal from searchers and was identified as Mrs Lane-Wright, he said.

"When located, Mrs Lane-Wright was wearing the same clothing that she was last seen in, was cold and wet, and complained about being hungry. She had gorse, bush and leaves on her clothing, suggesting that she had been in the bush prior to being found."

Although she was tired and cold and weakened by her ordeal, she was able to walk to the search vehicle where she was taken to the family home and reunited with her family members, before being taken to Milton for medical treatment, Senior Sergeant Whitmore said.

"This was a challenging search on a coastal area over a four-day period when weather conditions were extremely bad. The police involved and members of the search and rescue team appreciated the support of the local community and crib owners in the area. The positive outcome was the result of a lot of hard work and long hours by volunteers and police staff," he said.

"The family are very relieved to have Dianne home and have expressed their appreciation for the work put in by the police and search and rescue volunteers," Senior Sergeant Whitmore said.

ENDS

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