How my $350,000 ute was dumped in a crocodile-infested river while on holiday in Queensland
- Family lost their $350,000 car to car thieves
- They dumped the vehicle in the Fitzroy River
- Husband devastated by loss of ‘pride and joy’
A family’s vacation is ruined after brutal thieves steal their $350,000 ute before heartlessly dumping it in crocodile-infested waters.
Victorian couple Linda and Stewart Gander had fallen fast asleep just yards from their caravan in Yeppoon, on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, when a group of teenagers snuck in and stole the keys to their Ford F350.
Ms Gander recalled hearing the alleged thieves yell ‘we just stole your car you bastards’ before speeding off and ramming the caravan park gate.
The decked-out car, containing Mr. Gander’s wallet, credit cards and carpenter’s tools, was later abandoned in the Fitzroy River, the Courier Mail reports.
A major rescue operation was launched on Tuesday to retrieve the stolen vehicle from the bottom of the muddy, crocodile-infested river.
Queensland Police, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) officers and local tow truck drivers joined the rescue mission.
A family’s vacation is ruined after brutal thieves stole their $350,000 ute (pictured) before heartlessly dumping it in crocodile-infested waters
Rescue workers first used magnets attached to rope to locate the vehicle before connecting cables and dragging the vehicle out of the thick sludge.
QPWS officers kept an eye out for approaching crocodiles after water sports had to be canceled on the river after several reported sightings.
One of the ute’s front wheels had just surfaced before rescuers began to lose light and the boat ramp became too slippery.
The tension cables were broken twice before the attempts were abandoned at about 6 p.m. Tuesday and the mission resumed at low tide on Wednesday.
Police told the “devastated” couple that the car was seen traveling 150 km/h in Emu Park and crashing into several vehicles, including a police car.
Mr. Gander, the general manager of Timberline Construction, said his “pride and joy” was in pretty good shape.
The couple had made the 20-hour drive from the town of Benalla, in Victoria’s High Country, for a family holiday on the Queensland coast.
In another devastating twist, the family camping next to the Ganders was also robbed of their vehicle – a brand new Nissan Patrol.
The mother of the family heard a motor revving up in the middle of the night before the alleged perpetrators shouted ‘we just stole your car you bastards’.
The family supported the Ganders as they watched their ute being pulled from the depths of the Fitzroy River on Tuesday.
One of the ute’s front wheels had just surfaced before rescuers began to lose light and the boat ramp became too slippery (pictured)
A Queensland Police spokesman said three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 have been charged.
The 15-year-old has been charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, entering a premises, entering a residence, possession of dangerous drugs and utensils.
The 17-year-old was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of entering a building, entering a home and dangerously operating a motor vehicle.
Both teens are due to appear before Rockhampton’s Children Court.
The 16-year-old boy from Rockhampton will be treated under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act for similar cases.