Family of four trapped in desert for four days inside after four-wheel drive came trapped
The incredible survival story of a family of four after spending FOUR DAYS in the Outback, 150 miles from the nearest town, after their car broke down (but at least their kids had their iPads!)
- Family of four stuck in the outback desert for four days
- Rescued from the Poeppelhoek where the state borders meet
- Cyclone Ilsa prevented rescuers from reaching the NSW family
A family of four survived being stranded in the middle of the Outback for four days with only coffee, an air fryer and iPads to keep the kids entertained.
The family, who hail from New South Wales, became trapped in the Munga-Thirri National Park – formerly known as the Simpson Desert – when their four-wheel drive system broke down near Poeppel Corner, where the borders of South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory converge.
The group they were traveling with alerted police via satellite phone, but rescuers were unable to reach them due to torrential rain that closed roads in and out of the national park.
The flooding was caused by Cyclone Ilsa in Western Australia. Due to the rising water, the family had to wait several days for help.
A family has been rescued after getting stuck in the outback desert near Poeppel Corner when their car broke down. They had to be stuck for four days more than 250 km from the nearest city (photo: 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 borders of South Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory converge ( photo)
Senior Officer Stephan Pursell of the Birdsville Police Department said so ABC news the car’s frame was bent at the chassis, probably caused by towing a caravan over a sand dune or through rough terrain.
“It was a nice way out into the desert,” Snr Cnst Pursell said.
‘We tried to get [them] as best we could and get them to the Birdsville Track…but the vehicle got worse.”
Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family 170 miles west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday.
Snr Cnst Pursell said the family traveling from Newcastle were in ‘good humour’.
“They had the RV, so they had shelter and they had plenty to eat and drink,” he said.
‘[They] had a coffee maker and air fryer so they were more than prepared – the kids even played games on the iPads.
“He said he could have held out for a few more days, but I think his wife was a little different — she wanted out.”
Local police and park rangers managed to reach the family 270 km west of Birdsville in Queensland on Tuesday (Photo: Poeppel angle)
While the camper trailer could be towed, the family’s four-wheel drive had to be left behind.
It was the second time this year travelers had to be rescued from the remote border location, with a man having to be rescued after his vehicle got stuck in January.
Senior Constable Pursell urged everyone to be prepared for the rough terrain.
He said anyone planning to drive in the region should be equipped with a satellite phone and weigh their vehicle before leaving to avoid being trapped.