The tragic death of a man in Western Australia has prompted police to remind grey nomads and other travellers of the importance of staying with their vehicle in the event of a breakdown.
A 60-year-old man was found dead on the side of the road about two kilometres from a remote station near Wiluna, 1000 kilometres north-east of Perth. He had been attempting to walk 48 kilometres from his broken down car to Windidda station.
According to ‘Perth Now’, the man – and a woman who was also in the car – camped for a night before the man made the fateful decision to go looking for help. He only had a small bottle of water with him.
The woman remained with the vehicle for another night before, she too, attempted to walk to Windidda Station and was eventually rescued.
In response to the tragedy, WA Police has again urged members of the public who are travelling in remote locations to stay with their vehicle if they become lost or incapacitated for some reason.
“Police and emergency services utilise varying types of search resources, including aircraft and vehicles and, in remote areas, it is much easier for searchers to spot a vehicle from the air than it is a person,” a police spokesman said. “If people end up in this type of predicament, we advise them to try not to panic and stay with their vehicle at all times.”
Plenty of hydration is an absolute necessity for folk travelling in remote areas. A person can go many days without food but only a short time without water.—Remember this because having water can be the difference between life and death.