New Zealand cross-country runner survives 24-hours lost in forest by drinking her own breast milk

A woman who went missing during a half-marathon claims to have survived by covering herself in dirt and drinking her own breast milk after being lost for 24 hours.

Susan O’Brien, 29, took a wrong turn during a 12.5 mile fun-run through Rimutaka Forest Park in Wellington, New Zealand, and found herself alone as a night of high winds and rain closed in.

Dressed only in lightweight running gear, O’Brien told media Down Under that she scooped out a hole in the earth to keep warm and fed herself with breast milk to keep her strength up in the cold conditions.

O’Brien said:

A search and rescue helicopter eventually spotted O’Brien was flown back to her family who were waiting anxiously at search headquarters.

Westpac Rescue Helicopter Crewman Colin Larsen said:

The mother-of-two had an “emotional reunion” with her family including husband Daniel, 2-year-old son Jayden and eight-month-old daughter, Meisha, before being taken to hospital for checks.

Her family said in a statement: "As a family we are extremely relieved and thankful that Susan has been found safe and well.

"Susan will be having some much-needed rest over the next couple of days."