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Mystery SOS

rynner2

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SOS mystery in remote Western Australia stumps police

Is it a false alarm, or a genuine plea for help?

An SOS signal made of rocks in a remote part of Western Australia has prompted fears that someone, or more than one person, could be missing.

The distress signal was spotted by a helicopter pilot. It led to a ground search by police who had to reach the area by air because of tough terrain.
Authorities have now appealed for public help after failing to find "any indication of recent human activity".
However, police said they had discovered the remains of a campsite at the scene, which is at Swift Bay about 500km (300 miles) from the city of Broome.
"Police are trying to establish if there are any missing persons in the area who require assistance," they said in a statement.

Senior Sgt Peter Reeves told the Australian Broadcasting Corp that the message may have been there for years.
"There are indications that there may have been someone camped there at one point in time, but it is just not clear how long ago that was," he said.

In 2015, a British tourist lost in a remote area of Queensland was rescued after writing an SOS message in sand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-40024824
 
It now appears the mystery SOS was left over from a 2013 incident in which a couple were stranded at that location.

SOS mystery in remote Western Australia may be solved

Police say they may have found out who left an SOS signal made of rocks in a remote part of Western Australia.

The rocks were spotted by a helicopter pilot last month, prompting fears that someone, or more than one person, could be missing.

Police now believe it was likely a genuine distress signal left by a man and woman who became stranded in 2013.

They say they were contacted by the brother of the man, who read about the case on the BBC.

"The brother actually saw an article on the BBC," Senior Sgt Dave Rudd of Western Australia Police.

The man, called John, said his brother - identified only as Robert - and a female companion were aboard a yacht that became stranded at Swift Bay, about 500km (300 miles) from the city of Broome in 2013.

The pair boarded an escape raft which at some point "was attacked by a couple of crocodiles" but made it to shore safely and built the SOS signal.

Senior Sgt Rudd said they survived on rations, found some fresh water and were eventually rescued by another passing yacht.

Police said they have not been able to speak directly with Robert because he is on a boat in the Mediterranean Sea. ...

FULL STORY: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40197125
 
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