As the search for Rachel Stokes continues, Nelson police ask for anyone who saw a woman hitchhiking in the Richmond area on Sunday to come forward.
A member of the public reported seeing a woman hitch-hiking along Gladstone Rd, heading north toward Richmond near the Goldpine shops on Sunday.
The woman was carrying a black shoulder bag, with a long strap over her shoulder.
Anyone who saw, or picked up a female matching this description along this stretch of road is asked to contact Nelson police on (03) 546 3840.
Ms Stokes' car was found crashed on State Highway 6 near Kawatiri Junction, close to Murchison, on Friday morning. But Ms Stokes was nowhere to be found.
Today the search widened, with police focusing their attention on an area up to 40 km away from where the missing woman's car was found.
Police describe Ms Stokes as European; they do not know what she was wearing when she went missing.
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