Tourists end up in Deep Creek
Four tourists had a lucky escape yesterday after their 4WD Jeep crashed on the Peninsula Development Road at Deep Creek.
About 1pm, Police were called to the crash 40km north of Coen after the vehicle lost control when passing another vehicle on the unsealed road.
The vehicle landed on it’s side in Deep Creek and needed to be towed after sustaining major damage.
Another motorist saw the crash and returned to the scene where he helped the stranded tourists recover valuable property from the vehicle.
The tourists are now contemplating how to salvage what is left of their long awaited holiday to the Cape after the crash ruined their travel plans.
The Far North District has seen a total of 14 deaths on our northern roads in just 15 weeks of the 2015 year to date.
Local police are urging all motorists, tourists and locals alike, travelling throughout Cape York Peninsula, to slow down and drive to the road conditions.
Officer in Charge of Coen Police, Sergeant Alan Dewis said, “Our ‘wet’ season is technically over now and the tourists are coming to the far north in droves. Our roads are getting busier and we need people to slow down and drive to those conditions.’
He added ‘Motorists need to be mindful that overloaded vehicles take much longer to stop and it may be that they are committing offences by being overloaded.”
Motorists travelling throughout the Cape need to ensure that they avoid overloading their vehicles with camping equipment and supplies. All vehicles are required to adhere to the Vehicle Standards Instruction (VSI) requirements for transporting loads safely which includes projected load size and weights.
For more information go to: TMR PROJECTED LOADS
All motorists travelling in the far north are also encouraged to research the area well before their road trip.
The majority of the roads throughout Cape York are unsealed and conditions change constantly dependant on weather and seasons.
A lapse in concentration, over confidence or a lack of experience can often lead to disaster as it doesn’t take much to either drift off the road or drop a wheel into loose gravel and over correct.
Do you have a plan should you have a crash or break down?
Consider the following before you head off on your trip:
- Ensure your vehicle is properly serviced before your trip
- Check your tyres and make sure they have plenty of tread and are in good condition
- Check the spare
- Ensure you have ample food and water supplies for your trip (count heads and ensure you have enough for all the family and the dog as well)
- Let someone know what your travel plans, where you are going and when you will be back
- Make sure you have the right equipment for the type of terrain you are covering
- Have you included your first aid kit?
- Have you got any safety equipment or perhaps an EPIRB?
- Have you got a map and GPS?
- Do you have extra water and fuel for the vehicle?
- Do you have suitable communications for your trip as mobile phone coverage will be intermittent throughout the Cape and even some coastal areas
- Turn your headlights on
- Drive to the conditions of the road
- If you can’t see the road in front of you, stop and pull over till the dust clears and you have clear vision.
For more information about driving in remote areas see here
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.