UPDATED 6:30pm: Â A woman is in a serious condition in hospital but lucky to be alive after being found hypothermic and dehydrated near a Far North track.
The 57 year-old American tourist had caught a bus to the Te Werahi Loop track near Cape Reinga on Friday night and started out along on the track.
Two tourists found her on Twilight Beach yesterday and noted that she looked disorientated.
They gave her some water and she told them she was fine and carried on.
After the tourists returned to their bus they'notified the driver whose associate then contacted the police.
Search and Rescue teams set out looking for the woman and at about 8 o'clock last night found her backpack containing a tent, sleeping bag and forms of identification.
The search was called off at about 9 and resumed at first light.
The woman was found just after 9 this morning, almost unresponsive.
She was given first aid at the scene before being airlifted by a rescue helicopter to Whangarei Hospital where she's currently in a serious condition
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