Updated – 1pm Sunday: Tasmania Police say the woman missing at Cockle Creek has been located safe and well a short time ago.
She was found by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in thick bush, not far from when she was last seen. The crew guided the ground search and rescue team to her location.
Earlier: An extensive search operation has resumed this morning for an elderly woman who became separated from family members during a bushwalk near Cockle Creek yesterday.
The woman, aged in her 70s, went missing yesterday afternoon after wandering from the track while walking with relatives.
Family members searched for several hours before alerting authorities just before 5:30pm.
A multi-agency response was immediately launched with the rescue helicopter, SES volunteers and the Australian Marine Safety Authority’s search and rescue Challenger aircraft deployed to the area last night.
Heavy cloud cover hampered aerial search efforts overnight, forcing teams to rely primarily on ground operations until conditions improved.
This morning, authorities have significantly expanded the search with additional resources joining the operation.
The Police Vessel Cape Wickham is now conducting a maritime search while ground teams continue to comb through the rugged terrain surrounding the walking track.
Tasmania Police drones have also been deployed to provide aerial surveillance of areas difficult to access on foot.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have been walking in the Cockle Creek area yesterday afternoon and noticed an elderly woman on her own to contact Tasmania Police immediately.
