40 searchers in hunt for missing Karori woman

Photo / File

A team of 40 searchers is scouring suburban Wellington as concerns grow for a 74-year-old Karori woman missing since yesterday.

Edna Mae Cairns, known as Mae, was last seen at her Standen St home on Monday night and was believed to have gone missing from there sometime yesterday morning.

Search co-ordinator Acting Sergeant Anthony Harmer said a team of 40 was searching for Mrs Cairns today.

Then searchers included police, search and rescue volunteers, members of the Karori Community Patrol, and volunteers from emergency response and rescue groups throughout the Wellington region.

Mrs Cairns was known to walk regularly in the Karori Cemetery - a popular suburban walking spot - but she has not been found in that area despite searches last night and this morning.

Teams were now carrying out an urban search in and around Karori, Mr Harmer said.

"We appeal to anyone in the Karori area who may have seen Mae since yesterday morning and come forward and contact police."

Mrs Cairns is described as having an extremely small build. She was believed to be wearing a white top, blue jeans and black shoes.

Police are urging people in the wider Karori area to check their properties and to get in touch if they have seen Mrs Cairns during the past 24 hours.

Mr Harmer said police were grateful for offers of assistance from various members of the Karori community, but extra help was not needed at this stage.

Police last night distributed a "large number" of fliers and posters, and would distribute more today.