BC

A mother and her toddler have been found after spending a cold night in the back country during a mushroom-picking trip outside Powell River.

RCMP Cst. Chris Bakker said 31-year-old Heather Thompson and her 20-month-old daughter Erica were spotted by a police helicopter just before noon on Thursday.

"They are both doing OK," he said. "They were cold and wet."

Thompson set out in her van with her daughter at about 10 a.m. Wednesday.

He said the vehicle was discovered around 9 p.m., about 10 kilometres east of Powell River, but the search was called off until conditions improved Thursday.

Powell River Search and Rescue resumed the search at about 7 a.m., and were joined by RCMP Air Services from Vancouver.

Bakker said the temperature may have dipped to as low as 1 degree overnight.

"It's a forested area. There are peaks and valleys and changes in elevation."

Bakker said police found Thompson's purse and cell phone in the van, and there was no note to indicate where she was going.