Woman Reported Missing After Mōkau Beach Walk Found Trapped in Cave by High Tide

A woman reported missing from Mōkau tonight after she failed to return from a walk on the beach was found.

Alison Cleaver was last seen around 12:30 pm today when she did not return from a walk on the beach between the Mohakatino River and the Mōkau River, police said.

Search efforts began earlier in the day to find Cleaver, who was visiting family in the Waitomo district area of ​​the North Island and suffering from memory loss.

But police have since confirmed that Cleaver has been found. The high tide had trapped her in a cave.

“The police are pleased to report that the 58-year-old woman who was reported missing in Mōkau has been located tonight,” a police spokesman said.

“A boatman helping with the search saw the woman in a cave between the Rapanui stream and the Mohakatino stream around 8pm.

“A helicopter was sent to rescue the woman and they returned her to safety.”

Cleaver has been evaluated by paramedics.

“The police would like to thank all members of the community who assisted with the search today, and the public for their concern and assistance while the search was conducted.”