‘Help’ in sand saves missing tourist
February 28, 2008 05:40pm
A FRENCH tourist missing in the central Australian outback was rescued after scrawling the word « help »in the desert sand.
The 22-year-old woman was found today after a search party saw her desperate appeal for help near Kathleen Springs, south-west of Alice Springs.
She was taken to the Kings Canyon Medical Clinic for assessment but police said that despite her ordeal she appeared fit and well.
The tourist was last seen on Sunday morning, setting off on a trek towards the spectacular Kings Canyon.
She had registered her plans with parks and wildlife rangers.
An air and ground search was launched on Tuesday night, when rangers alerted police that the woman had failed to notify them of her return from the walk.
The woman had been expected to complete the 22km Giles Track walk at about midday on Monday, after camping overnight, police said.
She had told a friend she would walk to Kathleen Springs and then try to hitch a ride to Kings Creek Station.
Searchers and helicopters failed to find any trace of the woman until this morning, when some tracks were found.
Shortly before 1.30pm (CST) today, searchers found the word `help’ written in the sand.
A set of footprints was also found, along with a jacket believed to belong to the woman.
« A short time later the woman was located by helicopter 4.5 kilometres north-east of Kathleen Springs, » police said in a statement.
They believe the woman became lost after straying off the main track.
, le il y a 16 années et 9 mois.
