Missing ditch woman walks into hospital

The search for a woman believed to have fallen down a roadside ditch was called off today after she walked into a hospital.

Tracy Gough, 29, called police from her mobile phone shortly before 10pm on Saturday night and said she was trapped down a hole in Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, Shropshire.

Police spent four days searching for her, using a helicopter and police dogs.

Inspector Simon Lewis, from West Mercia Police, said Ms Gough walked into the A&E department of the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford.

Mr Lewis said: "We are pleased to say she appears to be safe and well.

"Ms Gough walked into the accident and emergency department of the Princess Royal Hospital at Telford shortly after 8am this morning.

"Apart from seeming confused and not sure where she has been over the past few days, she appeared to be in good health.

"Once she has been medically checked, we will debrief her to find out more about her movements since last Saturday."

Ms Gough told police during her distress call that she was injured and trapped down a hole.

Her mobile phone battery ran out after 20 minutes and police were unable to contact her.

More than 40 officers were deployed to search for her and a number of public appeals were made, including one from her worried parents, John and Mary Gough.

More than 30 calls were received in response to those appeals, police said.

Mr Lewis added: "We are grateful to everyone who contacted us.

"We rely heavily on help from the public in situations like this.

"Thank you to all members of the public who responded to our appeals."

Ms Gough had stayed overnight on Friday at the Bridgewater Arms in Harmer Hill - about six miles from Cockshutt - and police yesterday released a CCTV picture of her leaving the premises.

The last sighting of her was at around 2pm on Saturday at a bus stop in Shelton, Shrewsbury.