Gunbarrel ~ Death.
Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 11:38
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Member - Joe F (WA)
G'day all
This is not the usual topic mostly talked about on ExplorOz but it is very relevant, because many of you may
well travell the "Gunbarrel Highway" at some point in the near future.
Fact: A 35 year old man, was found dead on the roadside, just 30 kilometres North East of
Wiluna. The man died (perished) in circumstances that many travellers throughout out back Australia face from time to time.
A vehicle becomes bogged or broken down and the owner/operator decides to walk to where he/she knows there is help available and dies a lousy death from dehydration.
The deceased man was the driver of a road train heading for a mining operation out of
Wiluna, possibly with supplies for the
mine, the road train bogged down and was found jackknifed on the highway, but instead of waiting for someone to come along ~ and save the day, he walked to his death.
WorkSafe WA are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy, possibly because there is a link to the mining industry or possibly because of a transport companies failure to provide a safe
work place for the driver ~ lack of good communications gear, GPS tracking etc etc, what the driver carries as far a food and water is concerned is the drivers responsibility.
But ultimately this driver made a fatal move simply by leaving his vehicle and walking in 40 plus degree temperatures.
You would hope there is a lesson to be learned from this tragedy ~ but I doubt it !!!
Reply By: Member - Joe n Mel n kids (FNQ - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 12:56
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 12:56
it is sad, not just the person involved but the family and company also ..... living in the bush we come accross many people broken down and it makes me very peed off to find they always have little or no water ....
Now the thing we miss about it all is the people that end up in trouble are the very ones who SHOULD know better, the very ones that ..... mate done it for years, i aint that stupid ......
We worked for a short stint in
the Desert and a small community there lost a car full of people only about 80klms from
home, they all perished, they had NO WATER ... and they were aboriginal ....... i for one would have expected them to know better but sadly no they lost there lives .....
If you know of someone that BRAGS ... """""mate have done it for years """"" keep and eye on them as they will be next ......
Unless you have been stuck you will never know how hard it is to resist the temptation to ""walk""" you do actually start to lose it when it is hot.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: AGNI4x4 - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:56
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:56
will never know how hard it is to resist the temptation to ""walk""" you do actually start to lose it when it is hot.
Exactly one does not know how long he sat and waited before maybe desperation drove him to start walking. Like in all life / death situations try to remain calm as once panic sets in all reason leaves us.
Cheers safe travels and condolences to his family and friends
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Follow Up By: get outmore - Thursday, Jan 27, 2011 at 02:28
Thursday, Jan 27, 2011 at 02:28
I certainly have walked out before - its a matter of knowing where your going and your abilities
If I hadnt waked out its any bodies guess how long before someone came along - certainly no time soon
BUT I walk alot in all weather conditions and have a very good idea on whats do able and whats not
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Reply By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 13:17
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 13:17
G'day Joe
On a recent camping trip, my mates Pathfinder overheated, and was going no-where. He had 65 litres of fresh water on board for himself and his wife, we had similar (wife and I).
We never go anywhere without water, even though where we generally go camping has a running freshwater river. On this particular occasion, my very cheap Telsta Next G phone got reception, as we were not far from a major town (forget Optus and others in this area), and got the NRMA for his vehicle.
The main thing is, we had food (
well, we were on our way for 10 days isolated), and plenty of water. The communication was an unexpected bonus.
How far were we from 'civilization' at the time? Probably 20 klms. What you have pointed out is a sad, sad tale ... and your advice is sound. I hope people listen.
Cheers, Dave
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Follow Up By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 13:59
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 13:59
G'day all
Yes it is a tragedy for the fact that simple and possibly basic mistakes were made by a bloke, possibly fit as a mallee bull and driven the Highway(sic) countless times before who has now slid into the legend of "Outback Australia".
But who will remember or learn from this poor blokes tragic death? obviously he did not remember or learn from the death(s) of these two men.
Bradley Richards 40 years.
Mac Bevan Cody 21 years.
Perished on the Talawana Track ~ March 2005
Why remember them? Simply because they died tragically on a much used track, totally alone and absolutely under prepaired ~ I drive past their death scene four or five times every year. Sometimes alone but never under prepaired!! They and their struggle to live and eventual death(s) are burnt deep in my conscience, because I choose to drive into the "Outback" ~ Just like YOU.
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Follow Up By: Gary.L - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:27
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:27
The Talawana Track between Cotton Creek and the CSR during March/April is not what I would call much used.
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Follow Up By: Member - The Bushwhackers -NSW - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:35
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 14:35
Joe, Gary and all
During the time we were stuck with my mates car, 4 people stopped and offered assistance, even though we were in 'convoy'.
Yes, we were close to a town, and the road fairly
well travelled, but if it is a 'road', surely help will come before you run out of water, food etc, assuming you start your trip with sufficient supplies. Maybe it will be 24 or 48 hrs, but better than the other option.
Certainly not knocking or being disparaging of the poor bloke that Joe mentioned (and the others), but we all must learn from the experienced, and, unfortunately, the inexperienced.
Cheers, Dave
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Follow Up By: Member - Joe F (WA) - Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 18:05
Wednesday, Jan 26, 2011 at 18:05
G'day Gary.L
Sadly for the two blokes who perished on the Talawana Track, back in March of 2005, it may have been a very quiet and lonely place to die.
But now in the year 2011 there is plenty of activity throughout the Western Desert regions of W.A. Mining resource companies are more than happy to have people in the field in very
well equipped modern multi-wheel drive trucks and light vehicles, some even towing larger than average "off road" caravans, but I still would'nt bet my life on being found in the "nick of time" should you choose to walk away from your vehicle
Just to conclude, Bushwacker Dave, nailed it too, sufficient supplies ~ communications and knowledge, it might just help save a life.
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