Concern is growing for a Brit backpacker in New Zealand who failed to turn up for work after telling friends she was heading to Mt Aspiring National Park to hike.

Stephanie Simpson told friends of her weekend plans to hike to Brewster Hut and then move on to Blue Pools on Saturday.

Friends of the 32-year-old said she regularly goes on tramps – long distance walks – and is a “strong, fit and capable” hiker who hadn’t made contact with them since Friday.

She was then reported missing at 8.45am on Monday after failing to show up for her landscaping job.

• 

  Dad-of-five who struggled to buy Pot Noodles on dole now owns £4million business

• 

  Man kills neighbour with crossbow while attempting to save him from dog attack

Police launched a rescue mission in a bid to find her and a helicopter was reportedly searching for her as of Monday evening.

One of Stephanie's close friends told the NZ Herald it would have been "another weekend away tramping" for Simpson.

Adding: "She’s strong, she’s fit, she’s capable.

“She’s worked in the outdoors, she knows what she’s up to.”

• 

  Teen who had cancer dismissed as 'grief' diagnosed just eight weeks before death

The friend, who didn’t want to be named, described the Brit as “outdoorsy, super friendly and super bubbly”, and said she will assist cops in the search for Stephanie.

They told the NZ Herald: "She's a really beautiful, kind-hearted person. She can make friends in an instant, she's awesome. She's just here to tramp and see the country.

"It wouldn't surprise me if she did just rock up tonight and there's been a little something that's happened and she just needed to take an extra day."

Brewster Hut is recommended for experienced trampers only and it can take up to four hours one-way depending on weather conditions.

Stephanie's disappearance comes after heavy rain battered areas of Southland and Otago last week with rising rivers inundating low-lying homes, businesses and farms.

Source: Read Full Article