The rescue of two people from the Talawana Track in remote Western Australia highlights the importance of being prepared for emergencies when travelling in regional and remote areas.
On Monday, 29 September 2022, the husband and wife were travelling on the Talawana Track, about 120km east of the Canning Stock Route, when about 10:30am their vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was completely destroyed.
Fortunately, the couple were well prepared for travel in remote areas and were carrying a satellite phone which they were able to remove from the vehicle before it was fully engulfed in flames. After removing what they could from the vehicle and making themselves safe, they were able to use the satellite phone to alert authorities to their situation. Due to their remoteness, the ‘000’ call they made initially went through to South Australia Police, who passed the information onto WA Police Force about 11:00am on the day.
Contact was made with the couple and it was confirmed they had a small portable charging device to keep their satellite phone charged, and arrangements were made for regular check-in phone calls to be made at set times overnight.
An initial plan to deploy officers from Jigalong Police was reconsidered, due to the travel distance (12-16 hour round trip depending on terrain) and safety risks associated with some of the track conditions likely to be faced.
Police Air Wing engaged the services of the BHP Air Ambulance based in Newman. The helicopter departed Newman about 5:30am on Tuesday morning, expecting a 6 hour round trip. The BHP Air Ambulance arrived at the couple’s location about 9:00am and subsequently returned to Newman, where officers from Newman Police met the couple and took them into town.
A WA Police Force spokesperson said the safe rescue of the couple was made possible due to the planning they did before their trip.
“We encourage anyone travelling in regional and remote areas to carry safety equipment with them, particularly Personal Locator Beacons, or PLBs, or other equipment such as satellite phones to help alert authorities to emergency situations.
“On this occasion not only were the stranded couple able to alert authorities to their situation via their satellite phone, it was possible for local police to maintain contact with them to monitor their condition and continually re-assess the level or urgency required in the rescue operation. They also had sufficient water supplies to sustain them while they awaited the arrival of rescuers.”
Police also acknowledged the support provided by several businesses to the rescued couple.
“Arriving in Newman with only what they could carry onboard the rescue helicopter triggered a response from the WA community that we should all be proud of.
“The support shown by locals in Newman was outstanding, with gifts such as clothing from the local SportsPower store making a real difference.
“Further to that, after having to make an unplanned trip to Perth without any accommodation booked, the kindness of Novotel Perth Langley to put them up for a few nights while they regroup and work out their next steps shows the community spirit Western Australia is known for.”
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