Death on the Simpson

[Canaussie]

Read the news this morning

Man dies after being stranded in Simpson Desert
AAP
November 07, 2012 7:40AM
ONE man has perished in the Simpson desert and another has been found close to death after their four-wheel drive became bogged.

Police say the pair left Ethabuka Station, in Queensland's southwest, on Monday and became stranded.

In temperatures well in excess of 40 degrees, the pair decided to walk back to the station but a 25-year-old man died on the way.

The other man, whose age isn't known, was found by another station worker and taken to the Mt Isa hospital.

"The two people decided to walk and it was very, very hot and one of them has died," police told AAP on Wednesday.

"Another worker from the station came across the other man and he was pretty sick."

It's understood the men had little water with them.

Police said the tragic incident showed the importance of being prepared when travelling in the desert.

Please travel prepared members!


Sent from Billy's iPhone using Tapatalk

[Frostd]

I read the article this morning. Sad thing has happened again.  Shows the importance of being prepared for everything, or the communication to call for help.

[DannyG]

Thats terrible news, especially when it sounds as though it could have been easily avoided

[Bird]

Shows how people have no idea of what the conditions are really like out there and have no idea of what to do and no form of emergency comm's for the remoteness.

This sort of story comes out at least twice a year...

[DannyG]

I just read that they were station hands and only 16 kays from the house. So they were basically locals I think the lesson here is dont be complacent when out there, even if it is a short drive. And definately stay with your vehicle if something happens. So sad.

[cruisindub]

Always stay with the vehicle

Lesson 101

[dazzler]

I just read that they were station hands and only 16 kays from the house. So they were basically locals I think the lesson here is dont be complacent when out there, even if it is a short drive. And definately stay with your vehicle if something happens. So sad.

Complacency is a problem in lots of workplaces.  Poor buggers.

[edz]

Sad way to go, Does make you wonder though,  In the Kimberley years back, our station trucks had to carry minimum of 20 liters of drinking water and twenty of fuel in drums on them at all times.regardless .. the Bore runners truck carried 6o ltr of each + oil .
Our thoughts go out to the family of the one who perished .

[TOPNDR]

The deceased had a Germanic sounding surname, so I'd not be surprised if they were both backpackers in casual work.

[hainess]

This station( if you can call it that) is owned and run(if you can call it that) by an "environmental group".
Most of the station personnel are volunteers.

The deceased person had been a volunteer  for around 12 months.

Hopefully OHS will have a long hard look at this "environmental group" and their practices after this tragedy.

Rod

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[Estelle]

Needless loss of life.

The chap that didn't make it has been reported to be an experienced bushman (from South Africa so should be aware).

What happened to UHF or HF radio (16Kms from base) or maybe Sat Phone. Water? Leaving the vehicle. Middle of the day.

Sounds like a spur of the moment bad idea. Wonder why?

[edz]

Makes you wonder why the  EPIRB and or  Sat phone, the station spokes person said all the vehicles are equipped with didnt get used , hey ..

[stretch7702000]

Sounds like some of these people need to be trained in working in remote areas.  Agreed with the UHF comment. Every property I have been on we always have a UHF.

Paul

[Bird]

Sounds like some of these people need to be trained in working in remote areas. 

he did the training last week.

Agreed with the UHF comment. Every property I have been on we always have a UHF.

they had UHF

The group's spokesman, David Whitelaw, said the men's vehicle was fitted with a working radio and added that Mr Pieterse had undergone safety training as recently as last week in Victoria

Natural Selection I'd say
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/searing-death-in-the-desert-20121107-28yju.html

[chester ver2.0]

This station( if you can call it that) is owned and run(if you can call it that) by an "environmental group".
Most of the station personnel are volunteers.

The deceased person had been a volunteer  for around 12 months.

Hopefully OHS will have a long hard look at this "environmental group" and their practices after this tragedy.

Volunteers have always been a grey area under OHS law this is what the harmonised laws are trying to close up.

But overall after working in the Pilbra for 2 years i can see how this happens, people in the environment all day think of it as the norm and you start to slip

I dont need any water im just going to the mine next door
I dont need to pre start the car it worked fine yesterday
I dont need to take the UHF i know where i am going

It is more easy to do than people think
Rod

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[KingBilly]

I think it was simply a matter of complacency.  And we are all guilty of that at some stage.  Just really unfortunate that this time it resulted in the death of a young person who was doing what he obviously loved.

RIP

[Barry G]

NEVER  leave the vehicle.  Simple as that.
I cannot recall a single instance in the 25 plus years I have been following these stories where those who lost there lives wouldn't have been fine if they had stayed with their vehicle.
Provided someone knows where you have gone they will send. A search if you don't return /arrive at your destination.
Of course, with radio / water / EPIRB IT SHOULDN't be an issue...