The two elderly men, one elderly woman and four children aged between 12 and 17 were travelling to an Indigenous community when record rainfall hit at the weekend, stranding their vehicle.
The family were retrieved today from their car by a police helicopter, which hovered just above the ground as the crew loaded the family on board.
The family were found “safe and well” by the air wing unit yesterday.
Due to the poor weather and deteriorating light, police used the helicopter to deploy food, blankets and instructions to remain with the vehicle overnight.
“We’re happy to advise you that the seven community members have been rescued from their abandoned vehicle,” WA Police Inspector Mick Kelly said today.
“Once we were able to spot that vehicle and see the seven people waving it was one of my happiest moments.
“They’re well but they’ll need medical attention just to be checked out,
The rescued family were “looking forward to a hot meal and good night’s sleep”, he said.
Western Australia Premier Roger Cook described the rescue as “an immense relief and a great outcome for a really difficult and distressing situation for that family and the community”.
Police said the family will be returned home to Kalgoorlie after receiving medical attention.
