Queensland woman has died after becoming bogged at Mount Augustus in WA during severe heat

A Queensland woman has died after she left her bogged vehicle to seek help in extreme heat while en route to a notorious hiking spot in a remote part of Western Australia.

A 77-year-old tourist has been found dead in a remote part of Western Australia after her vehicle became bogged in the sand as temperatures reached the high 40s.

The woman’s body was found under a tree near a remote access road at Mount Augustus in WA’s Gascoyne region, about 1050km north of Perth on Sunday.

She had travelled to the area to hike a notorious summit trail on Mount Augustus, despite the climb being closed from November to February after the deaths of

four hikers in 2019 and 2020.

She had been staying at a nearby caravan park where she had left about 3pm on Saturday to hike the trail.

A 77-year-old Queensland woman has died after becoming bogged near Mount Augustus in Western Australia during a severe heatwave. Picture: ABC

When she did not return, staff began searching for her, alerting authorities when they found her abandoned vehicle.

WA Police Mid West Gascoyne District Inspector Scott Morrissey told media the woman appeared to have bogged her vehicle on the access road to Mount Augustus.

“We surmise from there she has left her vehicle and tried to return to the tourist park,” he said.

“Due to the extreme heatwave that’s being experienced out there, it’s clearly taken its toll on her.”

Inspector Morrissey said people should stay with their vehicle when they were travelling remotely and became stuck.

“All members of the public should follow official advice and warnings as they are there for a reason,” he said.

The woman had been in the area to walk Mount Augustus in outback Western Australia. Picture: ABC

“If you are going out hiking, especially in such harsh terrain, let someone know where you are going, what time you expect to get there and check in with them once you arrive.

“Always stay with your vehicle.

“You should carry plenty of food and water, at least enough for a couple days.”

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe heatwave warning for the area on Saturday that was expected to last three days.

“Gascoyne Junction on Sunday recorded 49C, it will be similar temperatures over the next couple of days,” a BOM spokesman said.

“Last February the area recorded temperatures of 48C.”