A desperate search is on to find a British backpacker missing in New Zealand after going on a hike.
Stephanie Simpson is believed to have travelled to the Mount Aspiring National Park in the Southern Alps on the south island on Friday.
The 32-year-old from Essex then failed to make an appointment yesterday morning and concerns were raised.
Family members last heard from her on Thursday morning in a WhatsApp group.
She is then understood to have contacted friends on Friday to say she was going camping and hiking, something she would do often.
Brother-in-law Sam Hazelton told Sky News: "Stephanie is very competent and physically fit. She is relatively experienced in outdoor activities and has already completed a number of hikes.
"She is such a fun-loving, kind, determined and adventurous woman, we are asking anyone who might know anything to please get in touch with police."
He said the family are worried and desperate to get information.
Sam added that police in New Zealand had told them there'd been two sightings of her on the trail but the source of the information was unknown and had no further details.
Crews are now searching the national park, situated in the Otago and Westland regions, in a bid to locate her, Essex Live reports.
It is understood that Stephanie is originally from the Basildon area and is a member of a running group in Southend.
Stephanie has been reported missing for more than 24 hours now and The Fox Glacier Alpine cliff rescue team, a search dog and handler, and Wanaka LandSAR volunteers are all involved in finding her.
The search area, spanning around 24km, encompasses Fantail Falls to Mountt Brewster, the Brewster Hut and Mt Armstrong track, and also Makarora Valley.
A spokesperson for New Zealand Police said: "If anyone was on the track over the weekend who stayed in the Cameron Flat area on Friday and may have spoken to Stephanie, or anyone who may have seen her on the track from Fantail Falls to Mt Armstrong, or in Makarora Valley, please let police know on 105."
