A major outback search is underway for a man who has been missing in South Australia's far north in searing heat for two days.
But police have rescued the man's dehydrated travelling companion, who was found several kilometres from the pair's bogged vehicle and is now receiving treatment in hospital.
The alarm was raised on Sunday afternoon when family members were unable to contact the man and the woman, who had been near Finniss Springs south of Callanna — a location on the Oodnadatta Track.
Police said the pair were separated on Saturday when their four-wheel drive became bogged near Junction Dam on Stuart Creek Station, about 90 kilometres north of Roxby Downs.
The man rode off on a motorbike to seek help, leaving the woman with the four-wheel drive.
When he did not return after several hours, the woman left the vehicle on foot.
Police said she was found by an aerial search team about 1:15pm today — having walked about 10 kilometres from her vehicle.
Conditions in the area have been hazardous in recent days, with temperatures rising above 40 degrees Celsius.
The woman was suffering from dehydration when she was found and remains in hospital tonight.
Aerial and ground search efforts for the pair began at 8:30am.
The police helicopter (PolAir) and a plane will continue searching for the man until 10pm tonight.
It is understood about 20 people are involved in the ground search, which is covering an estimated area of dozens of square kilometres.
Police expect to resume the search at first light tomorrow.
