Almost two weeks ago, three acquaintances were stranded in the Australian Outback - now the second of the group was found alive. A rancher has discovered the Australian Phu Tran in the morning in the Palmer Valley south of the city of Alice Springs on his land, said the police in the Northern Territory.
The 40-year-old had drunk from water holes to keep alive, they said. He will now be taken to a hospital. "We're all extremely happy that he's fine," said policewoman Pauline Vicary. "I call that a miracle."
Sunday night, 52-year-old Tamra McBeath-Riley had already been spotted exploring by helicopter south of the city of Alice Springs. They are currently being treated in a hospital, among other things, because of lack of fluid, it said. 46-year-old Claire Hockridge is still missing. The search for her is still going on.
Temperatures up to 40 degrees
According to police and local media reports, the three acquaintances and a dog were on a car trip on November 19, but their SUV got stuck in the riverbed of the Finke River. The group had been trying for three days to save their vehicle, then the three had moved on to seek protection elsewhere. In the area it can get up to 40 degrees Celsius at this time of the year.
In search of help, they separated according to the information. McBeath-Riley had run north and found water about a mile away. "Reasonably, she seems to have stayed where the water is, and drank it," Vicary told Australian broadcaster ABC.
