Backpackers thank rescuers after they were thrown from their car

Two English backpackers on an outback adventure have told how they cheated death when their car rolled in remote South Australia.

Oliver Walker, 22, and Brad Warren, 21, were in a Toyota Rav 4 driving along the Oodnadatta Track when they lost traction and rolled multiple times last week.

Mr Walker said he “flew out of the vehicle on the first roll”. He added he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and his side of the car was completely crushed. He doesn’t remember anything else.

His mate, who was driving, crawled out of the wreckage and found Mr Walker unresponsive.

“For a good ten seconds I thought he was dead,” Mr Warren said.

In shock, and with Mr Walker’s condition unknown, survival mode kicked in. They set up a tent.

But two hours later help arrived.

It was Laura and James Lescohier who had a satellite phone. They also had a medical background and training in first aid.

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Mr Walker said the only other traffic on the road that day was a tourist bus.

It also happened to be full of doctors and nurses.

Ten hours after the crash the two were admitted to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. The pair were transported via the Royal Flying Doctor.

On Monday, the two backpackers met the pair who came to their aid and thanked them for saving their lives. They admit without James and Laura they would have died.

Mr Warren is temporarily blind in one eye while Mr Walker has fractures, grazes and a punctured lung.

“My life has started again now,” Mr Warren said.

“When the car rolled I thought I was dead. Every day from here is a bonus.”