Body of US bushwalker, 78, found in NSW national park

A body found in bushland on the New South Wales Central Coast is believed to be a missing 78-year-old American tourist.

Police were initially notified on Friday night that the woman had gone missing while bushwalking. They were told she was in bushland near Middle Head between Pearl and Patonga beaches.

An extensive search was launched including the dog unit, PolAir, marine area command, Surf Life Saving NSW, NSW Ambulance, the Toll rescue helicopter and Marine Rescue.

The ground, air and sea search was suspended at 3am on Saturday and resumed later that morning. Police spotted the body from the air on Saturday and it was retrieved by ground crews.

The body, which has not been formally identified, is believed to be a missing woman in her late 70s who was visiting from the US. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

– with Australian Associated Press