Tourists rescued from swollen creek
Two Swiss tourists have been rescued from a flood-swollen creek in WA's Pilbara region after activating a personal locator beacon.
A man aged 67 and his 65-year-old wife attempted to cross a flooded road when their rental vehicle was swept away by the fast-moving water.
The couple managed to get out of the vehicle but became stranded in waist-high water.
WA police were alerted to the emergency by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority at 3.30pm today.
GPS tracking of the EPIRB placed the distress signal on the Roebourne-Wittenoom Road, about 15km south of the North-West Coastal Highway.
Police had to cross several flooded roads to reach the stranded tourists and were able to wade across the creek to help them to safety.
WORKER RESCUED FROM ROEBOURNE CREEK
A Karratha-based helicopter was sent to aid the rescue but was not needed.
The couple was taken to Roebourne for medical checks and will spend the night in Karratha, police said. Their vehicle has not been recovered.
Torrential rain has forced the closure of many roads in the area.
The rented 4WD has not been recovered after Pilbara flood drama. Picture: WA Police.
In a separate incident, State Emergency Services volunteers rescued a man stranded while attempting to cross a flooded creek crossing in Roebourne on Monday night.
The 54-year-old South Australian was forced to sit on the bonnet of his Ford Ranger after his vehicle became stuck while crossing the flooded Harding River Dam Road.
He contacted his employer who raised the alarm with police.
A mine site emergency response team recovered the man’s vehicle.
Police said the incidents showed the dangers of attempting to cross river crossings where the road or track was submerged.
AMSA urges people travelling in remote areas to carry satellite phones and a personal locator beacon in the case of an emergency.
