Acting Sergeant Josh Donaldson reveals plight of man stranded on Torrens Creek Road, Aramac in Western Queensland floods

As one of Western Queensland’s largest rain events in half a decade unfolded, a young traveller lost control of his vehicle and became bogged in black soil. It was 11 hours before any sign of help arrived.

Bogged on the side of a remote western Queensland road with no phone signal or supplies and with flood water rising in the area, a ‘panicked’ man set off on a harrowing nine-hour, 30km walk for help.

The dramatic situation unfolded on Tuesday, April 26, after a man, 24, who was travelling from Townsville to Victoria chasing a new job, became stranded northeast of Aramac, in the Barcaldine region.

As one of Western Queensland’s largest rain events in half a decade battered the area, the man lost control of his vehicle on Torrens Creek Road, about 50km from Aramac, and became bogged in black soil about five metres off the road around 7pm.

Blackall, Winton and Longreach recorded their wettest April day in decades during the record-breaking rain event, while Barcaldine recorded its wettest April day since 1918.

He was just seven hours into his trip south when the emergency unfolded, and it was another 11 hours before any sign of help arrived – a grazier who was passing by and rescued the desperate traveller about 6am the next day – Wednesday April 27.

Officer-in-charge of Aramac Station, Acting Sergeant Josh Donaldson, said the man was lucky to be alive.

“Despite trying to free his rig, he remained stranded there until we were alerted to his plight around 11 hours later when he was able to obtain phone reception,” Act Sgt Donaldson said.

“Road closures saw him isolated and in a panic, he set out on a 30km trek over nine hours when a passing grazier picked him up.

“Emergency services were able to co-ordinate the safe retrieval of the man across flooded roads and the man was checked and cleared by paramedics of any injuries.”

Acting Sergeant Josh Donaldson spends much of his time in outback Queensland. Pictures: Supplied, Queensland Police Service

Act Sgt Donaldson praised the local emergency services for their work, but said there were lessons to be learnt from the dangerous situation.

“He’s lucky he didn’t succumb to the volatile elements or wildlife, or simply exposure and disorientation,” he said.

“He was clearly dishevelled and is thankful for police, emergency services and the community coming to his aid – and saving his life — noting his actions were dangerous and serve as a cautionary tale to others.

“You can never be too prepared – check weather, supplies and plan your journey. Check in with loved ones and let them know your itinerary so the alarm can be raised early if you come acropper.”

After being cleared by medical staff and given a shirt, shorts and pair of thongs from Aramac Senior Constable Chance Lima, the driver was put up at the Travellers Lodge in Aramac. He was also issued with an infringement notice for failure to maintain proper control of a motor vehicle and it is understood his vehicle remained bogged for a number of days.

“It’s actions like that of Senior Constable Lima that provides the local community with the confidence that police will go above and beyond in times of crisis,” he said.

“This town is small but it is full of people with big hearts.”

It is not the first time a traveller in rural Australia has come unstuck recently, with the Royal Flying Doctor Service revealing the dramatic rescue of a couple got lost in remote South Australia on a trip from Cairns, when their car got bogged in sand in early January.

The RFDS said José, 29, and Nicky, 32, with their puppy Loki, were ‘lucky to be alive’ after their abandoned their vehicle to walk to Innamincka.

Over two days they walked 40km in the scorching heat, leaving notes, writing ‘SOS’ in the dirt and even resorting to drinking their own urine to stay alive.

The RFDS said it was a passing worker – who only travelled in the area once every six weeks – who came across the couple and got them help and care from the RFDS.