Police warn of remote travel risks after Cape York search and rescue
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Four people have been found safe after an extensive search and rescue operation in remote country on western Cape York Peninsula.
Two men, a woman and a child set out in a four-wheel drive vehicle from Pormpuraaw on Saturday afternoon, heading to Kowanyama, using an unsealed track that involves multiple river and creek crossings.
Police said the vehicle was found bogged and abandoned south of the Coleman River later on Saturday.
It was thought the occupants may have left the vehicle on foot in search of assistance, and a search and rescue operation began.
The Queensland Government Air Helicopter and other aircraft flew over the remote bushland, while local police conducted a ground search.
Pictures released by police show the distress signal “SOS” scratched into a sandbank, thought to be on the side of the Coleman River.
Queensland Police said the episode is a reminder remote travellers need to take precautions and have a safety arrangement in place so friends or family can raise the alarm if needed.
Kowanyama Police Officer in Charge, Acting Senior Sergeant Rob Morriss, said people should carry food and water and stay with their vehicle if it breaks down.
“People who wander off to seek help run the risk of perishing if they do not have adequate supplies or knowledge on how to stay safe.”
Thousands of people visit Cape York Peninsula each dry season to explore tracks and roads only accessible by four-wheel drive.
Local authorities say this year’s dry season is only just becoming established, and there’s still plenty of water and boggy ground on local roads and tracks.
