The daughter of an 87-year-old bushwalker, who spent a frigid night lost in south-west Western Australia, is sharing her family’s experience to raise awareness. The elderly woman embarked on a bushwalk near Donnelly River Village, about 280 kilometres south of Perth, but took a wrong turn. Despite recently having hip surgery, her enthusiasm for walking remained undiminished, as her daughter Jo described, stating, “Mum, who’s unstoppable, really wanted to do a walk.”
As temperatures dropped to 6 degrees Celsius overnight, Jo feared the worst, expressing that she thought she might never see her mother again. Alarm was raised by 8pm on Friday when the bushwalker didn’t return. Search teams, including family members, emergency services, and aerial units with helicopters and drones, scoured the area but struggled to locate her due to the dense vegetation.
Jo recounted their frantic search, saying, “We did all the trails and forestry tracks on our bikes and walking for the whole night, and didn’t find her.” Fortunately, the bushwalker was discovered the next day, 2 kilometres from her starting point. She was tired and dehydrated but otherwise uninjured, having made an emergency call to Triple Zero using her phone.
“At the time, she was sitting on a jarra log, waiting patiently and munching on her pack of raisins,” Jo remarked. This incident has prompted concerns from authorities, who noted an increasing number of people venturing into remote areas without proper preparation, resulting in costly rescue operations.
Bush survival expert Terry Hewett advised walkers to take precautions by informing others of their plans, packing extra water and food, bringing additional clothing, and having some form of shelter. He cautioned that what might initially seem like a manageable four to eight-hour hike could easily turn into an overnight ordeal.
This story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of preparation and communication when engaging in outdoor activities. Jo hopes that by sharing her mother’s experience, others will take heed and ensure safety during their adventures.