An Australian woman has been found after going missing for almost four days in Argentina, having been attacked and left in a forest with no food, water or warm clothes.
Authorities in Argentina said a 23-year-old woman was found on Thursday, local time, severely dehydrated and suffering wounds, according to a Reuters video report.
Emma Kelly had been travelling in Argentina and volunteering at a local church, according to Reverend Geoff Westlake, who knew Ms Kelly and her family.
"They're doing OK now that she's been able to speak with her on the phone and a lot of worry has dissipated," he said.
Reverend Westlake is the celebrant at Emma's twin brother's wedding in February and said that the family was concentrating on bringing her home.
The reverend, who met Ms Kelly last year at a scripture camp for teenagers, said she was a very selfless person who would do anything to help the broader community.
Reverend Westlake said Ms Kelly had been walking on a trail in the Patagonian mountains and didn't get to the other side to be picked up by a friend.
Ms Kelly's family today refused to make any statements to the media.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson confirmed she had been reported missing on December 26 after not returning from a mountain trek on Cajon Del Azul in Argentina.
She was found today and has since been taken by helicopter to hospital, they said.
Several Argentinian media outlets earlier named the woman as Emma Kevky, but a DFAT spokesperson said that name was incorrect.
The DFAT spokesperson said privacy laws prevented them from releasing her name, but she was from Perth and they were providing ongoing assistance to the family.
"Australian consular officers in Buenos Aires have provided consular assistance to the woman and will continue to do so," they said.
Ms Kelly had been attacked and left in the forest while hiking in mountains in the Argentine Patagonia, the Reuters reported.
She had reportedly travelled from Sydney to visit an Australian friend living in El Bolson, a popular backpacking destination in a valley.
Local police commander Jorge Olivia said the woman was in shock.
"She was lost for days in a forested area, without food, without drinking water. That weakens a person," he said.
The woman was reported missing on Monday and authorities sent out search parties, but she was eventually found by tourists.
A local doctor told Reuters: "She was very dehydrated and scratched up.
"She had signs of blows and multiple scrapes.
"She was very stressed. Three days in the mountains without water, without food, without warm clothes - it's no small thing."
Local news outlets reported authorities had no leads on a suspect in the attack.
- with smh.com.au
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