Mud-locked driver safe

HAPPY ENDING: A missing woman's car was stuck in deep mud beyond this gate near the tip of the Karikari Peninsula. PHOTO/PETER DE GRAAF

An elderly woman who went missing in her car overnight on Thursday on the Karikari Peninsula had become trapped in mud so deep she was unable to open the doors and had to wait to be found yesterday morning.

The disappearance of Emma Skerman from her Maitai Bay home on Thursday evening sparked a search and rescue operation involving police, local residents and a Coastguard aircraft.

The 78-year-old left in her car with her dogs about 7.30pm. Her husband raised the alarm when the dogs returned alone.

A search by police from Mangonui and Kaitaia plus a group of local residents started about 9.50pm and continued through the night. At first light yesterday they were joined by a Kerikeri-based Northland Coastguard Air Patrol plane with two police officers aboard.

Acting Kaitaia Senior Sergeant Glenn Taplin said they searched "every nook and cranny" of the peninsula before Mangonui Constable Dave Reynolds, following up a tip from a young local, found her car down a rough track about 250m from the sea, near Cape Karikari lighthouse, about 10am.

The car had sunk so deeply into mud it had tipped on to a 45-degree angle, making it impossible for the frail driver to get out. She was cold and hungry but otherwise unharmed.

Locals used four-wheel-drives to pull her car from the mud. She was checked by St John Ambulance medics and taken to Kaitaia Hospital as a precaution.

Mr Taplin said it was fortunate she had stayed in her car because that made it easier to find her. It had also been a cold night to be outside.

The happy outcome was the result of strong community spirit and a great effort by Karikari residents, coupled with officers' local knowledge.

Mr Taplin said it appeared the woman had became disoriented. Police would consider providing a GPS tracking device in case it happened again.