Relief as girls found

A GOLD Coast mother was “numb” with relief after her missing 13- year- old daughter and a friend were found yesterday after four days on the run.

But mystery surrounds how the girls ended up in Gympie, more than 250km from home.

Emily Howarth, 13, and Holly Goodwin, 14, were found by police yesterday after they went missing from Emily’s home on Thursday night.

They are believed to have left a note and packed belongings before they disappeared.

Police released photos and held a media conference yesterday to appeal for tips.

The girls were found “safe and well” about 1pm, reportedly with a woman in Gympie.

Detective Inspector Mark White ruled out any link to a new Facebook fad encouraging children to vanish for 72 hours as a “challenge”.

Emily’s mother, Elsa, took to Facebook to voice her relief.

“I am so relieved I’m almost numb,” she posted. “I feel like my life has come off hold again.”