Residents in and around Christchurch’s Riccarton are being asked to search their backyards for a “vulnerable” woman who went missing yesterday.
Elisabeth, 79, was last seen on Bartlett Street in Riccarton at around 6pm on Wednesday.
She was wearing blue pants, a dark coloured long-sleeve top, black shoes and has distinctive long blond/white hair.
Police earlier said there had been “unconfirmed reports” of Elisabeth in Mona Vale at around 10am today.
Senior Sergeant Todd Webley said there were “serious concerns” for the woman’s well-being. Police earlier described her as “vulnerable”.
Webley said a large number of staff, including from land search and rescue, had been on the ground looking for Elisabeth.
Police had been searching across the Riccarton area, including nearby high schools, sports fields, retirement homes, both sides of the Avon River from the Botanical Gardens traffic bridge, and Hagley Park.
“But we need people in the Riccarton and surrounding areas to check home security cameras, and also around their properties, in sheds and garages, in case Elisabeth is there,” Webley said.
“This is a significant search, but we need the public’s help to locate Elisabeth as soon as possible. We know people are finishing work for the day, and the best way they can assist us is to check their properties and call 111 if they find her.”
He said search teams would remain on the ground into this evening “if it comes to it”.
The woman’s family was being updated as the search went on.
“It is getting cold, and everyone on the ground is focused on bringing Elisabeth home as soon as possible,” Webley said.
Anyone who saw Elisabeth was asked to call 111 immediately.