Authorities in Cape York are warning travellers in the region that they will not risk ‘men and machines’ to retrieve vehicles that get waterlogged attempting risky river crossings.
The warning comes after a few days after a traveller in a Isuzu D’Max underestimated the terrain and got stuck on the eastern bank on the Pascoe River.
The Cairns Post reports that Frenchmans Track links Portlands Rd to the Peninsula Developmental Rd north of Lockhart River and is known as being one of the Cape’s deepest river crossings through waters of the Pascoe River.
Lingering dry season water flow has meant levels at the Pascoe River via Frenchmans Track remain elevated, although crossings at Archer River, Laura River and Myall Creek are currently easily passable.
Lockhart River council chief executive Dave Clarke told the Cairns Post that Frenchmans Track was an un-gazetted road and recovery of vehicles by rescue units based in Weipa and Coen was not an option.
“We want everyone to enjoy their Cape York experience but we will not risk men or our machines to remedy bad decisions,” he said. “My understanding is a vehicle made it through west to east then died on our side bank of the Pascoe … other tourists offered to give him a lift into Lockhart but he wanted to stay with his vehicle.”
Mr Clarke said the stranded man wanted the message passed in that he was looking for the council’s retrieval service to collect him and his vehicle.
“It is well advertised we have no such service,” said Mr Clarke. “Coen and Weipa RACQ do not service the Frenchmans Track citing safety issues.”
A police spokeswoman said the driver of the stricken vehicle was assisted by passers-by and headed to Weipa to repair the vehicle.
“(Police) did make our way to Frenchmans Track from Portland Rd but conditions were too treacherous for our vehicle,” she said. “Local council has advised people not to use it and RACQ in Coen and Weipa advised vehicles not to use it … you have to do have the right vehicle and the right conditions, it’s not the sort of track you just jump into and off you go.”
Sometimes you just cannot fix stupid!!
The photo is not on the Frenchman’s Track. The Frenchman’s track has no tar and doesn’t look like the photo at all. This photo is not on the Frenchman’s Track. It may be a Pasco River Crossing but not on the Frenchman’s track.
Looks more like the Archer River crossing.