Three stranded teenagers have been rescued after their “help” sign written in sand was spotted by a pilot flying over the Western Australian coastline.
Air traffic control notified police a pilot had seen the message next to a car near Hutt Lagoon Pink Lake in Gregory, more than 400 kilometres north of Perth, after 3pm today.
Police rushed to the area and about 30 minutes later received another report that a person on board a plane had seen the same distress message.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority was called in to assist as one of its jets was nearby and it was unclear what the emergency was.
“The AMSA Challenger jet flew over the area and was able to establish a vehicle was bogged, but did not appear to be damaged,” police said.
“The GPS coordinates of the stranded vehicle were provided to the police officers heading to the area.”
Police drove as close to the area as they could and then continued on foot across scrub and dry lake due to an incoming tide and rough terrain.
Officers eventually made it to the white Holden Colorado where they found three teenagers uninjured.
They had been stranded for six hours and did not have any recovery equipment or an emergency beacon, police said.
“The stranded trio were driven to Lucky Bay, where they were reunited with family/friends,” police said.
“The vehicle was left in situ for recovery at a later time.”
