A recent incident in which a ‘stranded’ motorist flagged down a grey nomad couple on the Stuart Highway and then allegedly tried to drag the woman from her vehicle prompted police to warn travellers to be cautious about stopping in remote locations. Here, Andy explains how he ensures he’ll never be a victim.
“As a competition shooter, we are usually armed when we travel.
A few years ago we were travelling between Bedourie and Windorah when the friends we were travelling with radioed us (we travel about 1/2km apart for dust) and said there was a couple of chaps standing by their vehicle on the road, and they were going to pull up.
I told them to wait until I closed up a bit and I would get a firearm out and keep an eye on them. Thankfully all was above board and they were broken down and we got their information and passed it on.
The friend’s wife spoke to me in camp that night (they are also shooters) she thought it was a bit over the top. Three days later Peter Falconio disappeared! This is now our standard procedure on Outback roads if stopping.
Make what you like of it.”
