Three men aged 25, 32 and 35 and their four dogs were rescued by Pine Creek and Katherine Police yesterday morning after their vehicle was swept off Copperfield Creek, approximately 70 kilometres north of Katherine.

At about 1.45 am the trio, in a Toyota Landcruiser tray back, were travelling along the Dorisvale Road south of Pine Creek when they and another vehicle attempted to cross the swollen Copperfield Creek approximately one kilometre from the Stuart Highway.

One vehicle made it through but the second vehicle containing the three men was washed off the crossing. The 33-year-old male driver of the first vehicle alerted police of the incident and reported the trio had crawled onto the roof of their vehicle.

On arrival police established that the creek was rising but shallow enough for members to drive through to the stranded vehicle where they collected the men via a safety rope.

All three were conveyed to the Stuart Highway side of the crossing where they intended to camp and wait for the water to subside and recover their vehicle.

The dogs were rescued during daylight hours when the waters subsided sufficiently to allow access to the stranded vehicle. Police assisted with the recovery of the vehicle which sustained severe water damage.

Media note: A photo of the vehicle is available on request from the Media Unit


Media contact:
Sue Bradley
8922 3531