Family-of-seven are finally rescued from the Outback four days after they vanished during road trip – as celebrated artist is revealed to be among the group

A group of travelers stranded in the flooded Outback since Sunday have been rescued.

The seven family members were found next to their stuck vehicle on Wednesday – three full days after they left Kalgoorlie for the remote Aboriginal community of Tjuntjuntjara.

Be under seven celebrated artist Lennard Walker and Mr Rictor, whose family is the last known group of Aboriginal people to live a traditionally nomadic life in Australia.

Mr Walker, 74, has been an artist for decades and was a finalist at the WA Indigenous Art Awards, showcasing art collections as widely as in Brussels and Korea.

Mr Rictor’s family is known to be the last known indigenous group to live a traditional nomadic lifestyle in the country, with two members of the family remaining in Tjuntjuntjara.

The group, including four children, was found alive on Wednesday afternoon, about 270km west of Tjuntjuntjara, and flown by helicopter to Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Police are expected to provide an update on the circumstances later on Thursday.

The group was traveling in two cars from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Tjuntjuntjara, about 650km northeast of Kalgoorlie, when they became stranded in the severe weather that hit WA.

A deluge of rain previously prevented emergency services from using air weapons to search for the missing people, but poor weather conditions eventually allowed them to resume the search.

On Wednesday afternoon, emergency services confirmed that the family had been located.

WA Premier Roger Cook said it was a “huge relief and a great outcome” after what had been a “truly difficult and distressing situation”.

“I just want to thank all the police, first responders, searchers, everyone who participated in the efforts and the operations to locate that family,” he said.

The group was found about 270 km west of Tjuntjuntjara. Photo: WA Police

“The town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, we thank them and it’s a great result.

“We know these road conditions change quickly as we experience these severe weather patterns.

“Significant flooding has occurred across the region.

‘So I urge everyone, and motorists in particular, to take the conditions into account when going out.

“In this situation, the family informed the community of Tjuntjuntjara that they were on their way to return home.

“And because they informed others, the Tjuntjuntjara community was able to send the warning.”

An aerial photo taken by the police showed all seven people surrounding their stuck car, with no obvious injuries to any of them.

Jon Lark, CEO of the Tjuntjuntjara Community Aboriginal Corporation, will meet the group in Kalgoorlie on Thursday evening.