Two prospectors missing, Polelle Station, South of Meekatharra, W.A.

Their bodies have been found.

Sad.

news report

These blokes did every possible thing wrong in the book, virtually ensuring they died.

1. As prospectors, they're obliged to advise the leaseholder of the land they're searching on, that they are there to prospect. These blokes didn't advise the owner of Polelle Station they were there.

2. They left Perth to set up the campsite on Polelle on Feb 28th, and only advised family members they'd be back the following Tuesday (5th March).
So it would have been a week or more before the family notified authorities they hadn't returned. They were likely to have been dead by Sunday 3rd.

3. They obviously failed to take steps to be able to ascertain where they were at any one time, and where their camp was. This is featureless semi-desert country, stony, flat, and with low vegetation.

4. They obviously failed to carry enough water on their person when prospecting.

5. They carried no EPIRB's or PLB's, which are cheap and easily acquired and carried.

6. They went prospecting near the peak of Summer heat, with daytime temperatures over 40 degrees.

I don't know how many times authorities and experienced people have to keep hammering the message to make sure you take all the necessary steps and vital steps to ensure your survival, if you go out into rugged, isolated terrain.

The worst part of the whole sad story is, their bodies were found approximately 2.4kms from their camp, an easy distance to cover, while you're still fit and able, and not dehydrated.

ABC News - Prospectors Association urges better preparation when prospecting

Cheers, Ron.

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