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The granddaughter of the elderly Christchurch woman who was missing for four nights before she was found near Tunnel Rd has thanked the community for their search efforts.
Valerie Hargrave, 81, went missing from her Woolston home in the St John St area on Saturday, prompting an extensive search, involving community members, police, and search and rescue teams.
Hargrave was found on Tuesday night lying in long grass near Tunnel Rd (State Highway 74), about 5km from her Woolston home.
The search was centred around New World Woolston, where she had last been seen.
Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie said locating the pensioner alive was a "great result". He said she was "extremely cold" but talking to police.
More than 70 people turned up at the New World car park off Ferry Rd at 10.30am on Tuesday to help with the search effort.
Baillie said police carried out detailed searches and reviewed hours of CCTV and traffic camera footage to find her.
"From that, an area of interest was identified," he said in a statement.
"Around 30 staff were deployed to carry out a grid search, and Valerie was located lying in long grass on Tunnel Road, SH74, between the walking track and the road.
"It is not yet known how long she had been in that location. Enquiries into her movements remain ongoing.
"Valerie has spent four nights in the elements, and police acknowledge the efforts of everyone involved in helping to locate her.
"Local businesses were instrumental, recognising her as a regular in the area and helping confirm sightings.
"Valerie remains in hospital receiving medical care and is surrounded by her loved ones. Our thoughts are with Valerie and her family as she recovers."
Hargrave’s granddaughter thanked the community for their efforts in a Facebook message on Wednesday morning.
"On behalf of our family I wanted to express our gratitude for the incredible support and kindness we have received from the community as well as Canterbury Police and the Land Search and Rescue teams," she wrote.
"We are so pleased to have Val found safe and alive after an incredibly worrying few days.
"We are so amazed and thankful for the way this community has shown up and effortlessly helped us search for Val.
"We are overwhelmed with relief by such a positive outcome and to have her back with us.
"We are certainly hugging her a little tighter today. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts.
"She is doing okay and being well looked after by the incredible staff at Christchurch Hospital. We appreciate privacy at this time."
She said her grandmother was "okay" and was being looked after by the "incredible staff" at Christchurch Hospital.
Baillie said the family has requested privacy at this time.
"Any further comment from the family will be provided through police when appropriate," he said.
- Allied Media