Gunbarrel ~ Death.

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 !!!