Tragic accident

Saw the Landrover photo- minus roof- in today's paper- text said estimated speed was maybe 80kph. There was comment on the vehicle's rear suspension on one side, not part of the accident damage. A very sad incident.

Yes it is very, very sad but the same thing happens all the time on bitumen roads.

When a family are needlessly wiped out this becomes a very emotive issue.
Until someone really comes up the the specific cause I don't think we can speculate.
I just came back down the OOdnadatta track a few weeks ago and found it to be in better than expected condition.
The fact is it is the outback and we will never get bitumen roads all over the country side and nor should we.
Driver education for using outback roads would not go astray and one must always respect the road and drive according to conditions.

Also emergency equipment should always be carried. I assume they didn't have emergency communication otherwise they probably could have called for medical assistance for the child.

Anyway it certainly is sad but by the same token we must keep it all in perspective and refrain from pointing the finger until all the facts are known.We have so little time to enjoy our land

Willum.
This accident is a good example of why it is very important to fit roll cages in defenders. I lost a school mate when he rolled a series 2 many years ago and I imediately fitted a roll cage in my series 2, latter I lowned my landy to another school mate and he rolled it end for end and survived. Defenders can not be registered in California with out a roll cage. By the way you idea about heating battery acid in a soucepan is very dangerous because battery acid reacts vilantly with almost any metal. Eric.

Have travelled the Oodndatta Track - and the operative word is "track" - it is not a road (nor should it be) and I agree you do have to drive to the condition of the road - safety is always the issue.

It has turned out that it was not the Swiss family who were killed.

Apparently they arrived in Sydney to meet some Sydney based relatives, and lent the car to them for an outback trip. Initial confusion was caused because of the cars rego and the world map showing the Swiss families trip.

I live in the NT and lots of fatalities here are from 4 wheel drive single vehicle roll overs.

Lots of people travel at 140 to 180 in their cars and they are NOT the ones dying on teh roads. In the rural areas its mostly tourists in four wheel drives, not going fast, running off the road and rollover. One person rolled their fourby at 40km/h while slowing down to a stop and the death of child occured. Its not only 'speed' that kills. Loss of control at any speed can be fatal.

This type of accident if common. I rarely drive my Patrol above 110 even on the speed unrestricted roads.

Sean