Family die after car breaks down in 40C Outback

A YOUNG family have been found dead in the Australian Outback after abandoning their broken down car in a desperate bid to find help.

The bodies of a man and woman, both 19, and their three-year-old son were discovered by police on Wednesday about 190 miles north of Alice Springs.

A 12-year-old boy, who was a passenger, was later found dead about 500ft from the three on Thursday following a frantic land-and-air search by the Northern Territory Police.

Distraught

Police believe that after their car broke down, the group had walked three miles to find assistance as temperatures touched 104F (40C).

Tragically, all four perished before they could find anyone. Police are not treating their deaths as suspicious.

Officers had initially responded to a report of a fatal road crash after a “distraught” man raised the alarm in a local health clinic.

However, when emergency services inspected the car they found that it had not been involved in a collision. Remnants of water and food were found at the scene.

Their vehicle was about miles from the Aboriginal settlement Willowra. It was last seen leaving the township on Friday bound for nearby Yarra Yarra.

Southern Desert Division Superintendent Jody Nobbs said police are yet to rule out that there may have been more passengers in the vehicle and will continue searching until they are satisfied there are no further victims.

He said: “Initially we thought it was the result of a car crash. However, we’re confident it’s not.

“We don’t believe the circumstances are suspicious.”

He warned about the dangers of travelling through remote areas of the country during the scorching summer months.

He said: “This does serve as a timely reminder to anybody travelling on the Northern Territory roads.

“When you do travel, make your vehicle is in a fit state.

“Ensure you have sufficient supplies including water and a first aid kit and that someone is aware of your travel itinerary.

“This is a tragic situation and our thoughts remain with the families affected by this incident.” sure