Source: New Zealand Police
A coordinated and rapid response involving New Zealand Police, Land Search and Rescue Nelson, and Hato Hone St John led to the rescue of a missing 74-year-old woman in Nelson on Wednesday evening.
On what was one of the coldest nights of the year, Police were notified around nightfall that a woman had failed to return to her retirement village after her regular afternoon walk.
Police immediately began enquiries and area checks while specialist search and rescue resources were mobilised. A Police Search and Rescue dog team from Blenheim was deployed alongside volunteers from Land Search and Rescue Nelson.
Search teams focused their efforts on a steep gully of grass and native bush above the retirement village.
The missing woman was located around 8:30pm in difficult terrain near the edge of native bush. While not seriously injured, she was showing signs of becoming hypothermic after spending several hours exposed to the cold conditions.
Land Search and Rescue Nelson volunteers carried her out of the steep gully on a stretcher before Hato Hone St John personnel transported her to hospital.
The woman has since been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home, supported by retirement village staff and her family.
Detective Jonathan Evans says the incident was an excellent example of agencies coming together at short notice and working together to achieve a positive outcome.
“With the cold weather and darkness, there were serious concerns for the woman’s wellbeing. The combined effort of Police staff, Land Search and Rescue volunteers and Hato Hone St John meant she was quickly located, safely recovered from challenging terrain, and provided with the medical attention she needed.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by our partner agencies. Their professionalism, expertise, commitment, and readiness to respond played a significant role in ensuring the woman’s safety, and ultimately saving her life.
“This successful rescue serves as a reminder of the important role strong partnerships between emergency services and community volunteers play in protecting and supporting our communities.”
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/08/07/multi-agency-rescue-of-missing-woman-in-nelson/