Family trapped for three nights because they relied on GPS!
SYDNEY, Australia - August 2, 2010 - Australian police have warned vehicle owners about the dangers of putting blind faith in car navigation devices after rescuing a family who were trapped in their utility vehicle in outback New South Wales for three nights.
The 48-year-old man and his 49-year-old wife were travelling with their two boys, aged 15 and 17, on Thursday when they ignored road closure signs and took the Darling River Rd near Wilcannia, 965km west of Sydney.
The road had been closed due to heavy rain and the vehicle, a Nissan Navara ute towing a trailer, got bogged down some 40km out of Wilcannia.
The family rang police for help but weather conditions prevented officers from reaching them.
The family had to sleep in their vehicle with their dog for three nights while emergency services remained in regular contact with them.
About 8pm Sunday, police from Wilcannia said they tackled "extremely difficult and treacherous" road conditions to reach the family.
Police have been told the family, who were travelling between Brisbane and Perth, followed instructions from a satellite navigation system that told them to take the closed road.
The incident prompted police to remind motorists to abide by road closures, take extra care on the roads during periods of bad weather and exercise caution when using in-car navigation devices.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a website maintained by the Central Darling Shire and updated the day before the family became bogged showed the road between Tilpa and Wilcannia was closed.
