National

Stranded teens rescued after pilot spotted SOS in sand

By AAP Newswire

Jun 2, 2024

Three teens next to a "help" message in Gregory, WA — The stranded teens were rescued after carving HELP in large letters into the sand. -PR Handout Image

Three teenagers stranded along a remote stretch of coastline have been rescued after their desperate plea for help written in the sand was spotted from the air.

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The marooned trio's 4WD became bogged in the Hutt Lagoon area south of Kalbarri, about 100km southwest of Geraldton on the Western Australian coast on Saturday.

A pilot flying nearby notified Air Traffic Control about 3pm after spotting a 'HELP' distress message written in the sand with a stationary vehicle nearby.

The message written in the sand was spotted by a pilot flying overhead in remote WA. (HANDOUT/Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

With the help of an Australian Maritime Safety Authority jet, WA Police officers were deployed to the scene.

But an incoming tide and rough terrain meant officers were only able to reach the group on foot across scrub and the dry lake.

The trio had been stranded for about six hours alongside their white Holden Colorado with no 4WD recovery equipment or emergency beacon.

All three were uninjured, WA police said.

They were driven to the aptly named Lucky Bay, where they were reunited with family and friends.

The vehicle will be recovered at a later time.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press