Two travellers from Western Australia have been rescued after being lost in Outback South Australia for two days without food or water.
The ABC reports that police rescued the men who were found stranded in their bogged car on a remote dirt track inside Maralinga Tjarutja Lands in the state’s far west.
The Mazda utility they were travelling in was missing one of its wheels.
The caretaker of the lands reportedly contacted police to notify them that the men were seen travelling on a track. It is an offence to trespass onto Maralinga Tjarutja Lands without an entry permit approved by the community council.
The men's vehicle was found bogged and reportedly missing a wheel. PIC: SAPOL
According to the ABC, the two men, aged 34 and 29 were found bogged in their car about 150 kilometres north of Maralinga Village on an isolated dirt track.
Police say the two men were ill prepared for Outback travel. PIC SAPO
“The men were completely ill-equipped to make a trip into remote Australia with no means of emergency communication and insufficient supplies,” police said in a statement. “Had it not been for chance that the caretaker had found the pair on his rounds, it is a near certainty that nobody would have been aware of the lost men and their lives would have been in serious jeopardy.
Police have again urged people travelling in regional and remote locations to make sure they are properly equipped to take the journey.
The ABC reports the men were taken back to Ceduna to make their own arrangements home.
It’s time people like these pay all costs associated with their rescue and the recovery of their vehicle, maybe, just maybe those who aren’t prepared for a serious outback trip may think twice about their intentions.
Gibb River road sign used to say $2,000 to rescue 4×4 and $5000 to rescue 2wD specifically marked as a 4×4 track only and a requirement of at least 2 spare wheels – sounds reasonable – should also have at least 4litres of water + 2 litres for each person, maybe more.
“It’s time people like these pay all costs associated with their rescue and the recovery of their vehicle”
Agree John. These blokes were asking for trouble…but we read this all the time with some travelers, they set off with no plans, no back up, no food / water…no one knows where they are and they don’t tell anybody what they are doing anyway.
If I got caught out and bogged miles from no where, I would at least have been prepared with food and water, possibly an Epirb, having notified some one that should they not hear from me after 48 – 72 hours that there may be a problem. Incredible how dumb too many people are!