A father and son from Middle Park, Melbourne, spent more than 12 hours stranded in remote floodwaters in South Australia's far north before being rescued by billionaire businessman Tim Roberts, who was stopping at a nearby pub.
Stranded after a massive storm
The pair were travelling in a Toyota when it became bogged in mud after a massive storm swept through the area. "I drove out towards Lake Eyre on the road and there was a huge storm," said Bill Kosky, one of the stranded men. "Everything started to get flooded and I got bogged and I was left there."
With minimal phone signal and no way out, the father and son texted emergency services, who contacted the William Creek Hotel for help. "Fortunately ... a very kind gentleman in a helicopter was flying past and came and picked us up," Kosky said.
Unexpected rescuer
Their rescuer was Tim Roberts, a billionaire businessman who had stopped at the pub for the night. Roberts took to the sky in his helicopter with local legend Trevor Wright to locate and rescue the father and son. From high above, the two stranded tourists appeared as just a speck on the vast waterlogged landscape, barely visible against the flooded terrain.
"I've travelled these parts after floods for 20 years. I've never seen anything like this," Kosky said. The rescue highlights the dangers of outback travel during extreme weather and the kindness of strangers in remote areas.
