Army to join search for missing woman

Emma Campbell. Photo / Supplied

The army has been called in to help with the search for missing Christchurch woman Emma Campbell.

The 29-year-old has not been seen since May 1, when she was caught on a Riccarton petrol station's security camera about 5.30am. Her car was found crashed off on Dyers Pass Rd on the Port Hills a short time later.

Her wallet was in the car, and her shoes were on a nearby rough path, but ground and air searches of the area have failed to find her.

Police today used machetes to chop down thick bush below where the car was found, and the army was due to join in the scrub-clearing tomorrow, TV3 reported tonight.

Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae said yesterday the chances of finding Ms Campbell alive were remote.

"I think the likelihood is now we will find her body rather than finding her alive, unless someone has been looking after her -- and there is no suggestion of that," he said.

Foul play still had not been discounted but police believed the more likely scenario was that Ms Campbell had crashed and gone into the bush either in panic or suffering a head injury.

- NZPA