The dangers of travelling in remote Outback areas – and in leaving your vehicle if you get into trouble – have once again been highlighted in dramatic fashion.
A 32-year-old man has been found alive and well after three days wandering around lost after his car got bogged as he travelled the Canning Stock Route.
Police say Anthony Collis, somehow became separated from his female travelling companion, Debbie Blomfield, 39, after they ran into trouble on the route from Newman in Western Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Ms Blomfield walked into Georgia Bore Camp, about 8 kilometres north of Lake Disappointment. Although she was ‘disorientated and dehydrated’, she managed to help police search for Mr Collis.
Perth Now reports that the pair’s vehicle, a white Mitsubishi Triton, was discovered on Friday by the lake, but Mr Collis was not there. The car reportedly contained few supplies.
He was found yesterday in bushland, about 1 kilometre north of Lake Disappointment and three kilometres from his vehicle, as he waved to a helicopter above him and shouted for help.
He was airlifted to Newman Hospital for treatment. Police say he was from dehydration and exposure but was ‘otherwise fine’. He apparently managed to survive the hot days and cold nights by burying himself in the dirt.
Acting Inspector Garry Kosovich told Perth Now that the couple did not seem well-prepared for the trip in their four-wheel drive in rugged terrain.
“Mr Collis was calling out and police heard the call,” he said. “He was fairly weak at that point, but thankfully he was heard and we responded and located him.”
He added that Mr Collis would have been discovered on Friday if he had remained with his vehicle.
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Mr Collis was found suffering ‘dehydration and exposure’ but was ‘otherwise fine’ Western Australia Police
