ORDEAL IN DESERT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22922, 28 December 1937, Page 13

ORDEAL IN DESERT

STRANDED MOTOR PARTY THE TERRORB OF THIRST ONE DIES IN HOSPITAL [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY. Dec. 23 A graphic story of the harrowing experiences of three men lost in the desert near the border of Western Australia and Northern Territory was told at Mount Isa, Western Queensland, by Mr. W. Dillon, organiser for the NSrth Australia Workers' Union. Mr. Dillon was stranded 45 miles from Mentejinnie Station with two unemployed men, whom he picked up in his car at Birduin. Mr. Moray, general manager for Vestey's Estate, arrived on the scene and promised to send help to repair the disabled car. He was assured that Mr. Dillon's party had plenty of food and water, but it was discovered alter he had gone that the water drum, filled at the last bore, had leaked dry. An attempt was made to drain water from the radiator, but one man scalded his hand, and most of the water was lost.

The two companions of Mr. Dillon decided to search the dry creek for water when Mr. Moray's help failed to arrive. They did not return. Mr. Dillon lighted spinifex fires through that night. Next morning, realising that the position was getting desperate, he went in the direction taken by the men. After walking all day and sending up smoke signal*, Mr. Dillon returned to the car. Although tormented by the pangs of thirst, he would not make for the bore 20 miles away, a« he knew that if he did the men would perish. Next morning ho left the following message at the car, "Mates"~lost. Unable locate them. Making to bore. YN ill leave sign at bore if arrive. Will carry water in endeavour to find missing men." He then made a detour, working toward the bore in a final effort to locate the men. Picking up tracks" in the dry creek he followed and found a tobacco tin with a message scratched on it which read, "No water. Lost. No hope." A little later he found the two men in a state of exhaustion, and then began the trying ordeal of attempting to reach the bore, seven miles away, with one of the men in a state of collapsp. The men almost succumbed at the bore from a surfeit of water. The same night an engineer. Mr. Burg, and Constable Woodcock arrived at the bore, having read the message left by Mr. Dillon, and told the men they had given up hope, as the message was dated. "Dawn, Tuesday," instead of "Wednesday.'' All the men apparently recovered, but one known as "Seotty" died later in Wyndham hospital.