Family-of-four’s incredible tale of survival after spending FOUR DAYS stranded in the Outback 250km from the nearest town after their car broke down (but at least their kids had their iPads!)
- Family of four trapped in outback desert for four days
- Rescued from Poeppel Corner where state borders meet
- Cyclone Ilsa stopped rescuers from getting to the NSW family
A family of four have survived being stranded for four days in the middle of the Outback with only coffee, an air fryer and iPads to keep the kids occupied.
The family, from New South Wales, became trapped in Munga-Thirri National Park – formerly known as the Simpson Desert – when their four-wheel drive broke down near Poeppel Corner, where the South Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory borders meet.
The group they were travelling with alerted police by satellite phone but rescuers were unable to reach them due to heavy rain closing roads in and out of the national park.
The flooding was caused by Cyclone Ilsa in Western Australia, with the rising waters resulting in the family having to wait several days for help to arrive.
A family has been rescued after becoming trapped in the outback desert near Poeppel Corner when their car broke down. They were forced to endure four days trapped more than 250km from the nearest town (pictured: Poeppel Corner)
The News South Wales family became trapped in Munga-Thirri National Park – formerly known as the Simpson Desert – when their four-wheel drive broke down near Poeppel Corner, where the South Australian, Queensland and Northern Territory borders meet (pictured)
Birdsville Police Senior Constable Stephan Pursell told ABC News the car’s frame had been bent at the chassis which was likely caused by towing a caravan either over a sand dune or through rough terrain.
‘It was a fair way out in the desert,’ Snr Cnst Pursell said.
‘We tried to get [them] moving as best as we could and get them down to the Birdsville Track … but the vehicle got worse.’
Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family located 270km west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday.
Snr Cnst Pursell said the family who were travelling from Newcastle were in ‘good spirits’.
‘They had the camper trailer, so they had accommodation and they had plenty of food and water,’ he said.
‘[They] had a coffee machine and an air fryer, so they were more than prepared — the kids were even playing games on the iPads.
‘He said he could have lasted quite a few more days but I think his wife was a little different — she wanted to get out.’
Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family located 270km west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday (pictured: Poeppel corner)
While the camper trailer managed to be towed, the family’s four-wheel drive had to be left behind.
It was the second time this year travellers have needed rescuing from the remote border location, with a man needing to be saved after his vehicle became bogged in January.
Senior Constable Pursell urged anyone tackling the harsh terrain to be prepared.
He said anyone planning on driving in the region should be equipped with a satellite phone and weigh their vehicle before leaving to avoid becoming trapped.