4×4 owners fined after abandoning their cars and leaving a trail of destruction in the wilderness, despite having a very obvious item that could have helped them escape.
- Six 4WD got stuck in Queensland
- The drivers of two were fined, $1,400 each
- The path of destruction left behind
Two 4×4 owners were fined $1,437 each after getting stuck in a protected, private wetland area before ditching their cars.
A group of 11 people, including two children, were driving in six cars in Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville in north Queensland last month.
The group had entered the protected area illegally and due to a recent 120mm rain discharge in the area, all their cars were stuck on the night of February 4th.
Those inside the cars were forced to wade through rising floodwaters in the dark before being rescued by a swift water team and a rescue helicopter the next morning.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science shared photos of the path of destruction left by the group.
A 4WD was photographed with recovery tracks attached to its roof which would have helped free the tires.
A group of 11 people, including two children, were driving in six cars in Pinnacles Reserve near Townsville in north Queensland last month. Cars got stuck after heavy rain. A 4WD had recovery tracks on the roof
The group had traveled on a private road and ignored a warning sign that only authority personnel were allowed to enter the area.
“They later recovered their vehicles, but they left behind trash and a lot of damage to the environment and the firebreak, which will cost about $50,000 to repair,” said senior conservation officer Craig Dunk.
While two drivers received heavy fines, the owners of the remaining four cars got away with a formal warning after they went to speak to Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services to explain what had happened.
QPWS said all the drivers expressed remorse for the damage they caused, while the vehicles, some of which were stuck in car axles, were stuck in the area for weeks.
The group had entered the protected area illegally and due to a recent 120mm rain discharge in the area, all their cars were stuck on the night of February 4th.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Science shared photos of the path of destruction left by the group.
Dunk said the 4WDs had crushed and uprooted vegetation in the area, causing holes up to 60cm deep.
“When vehicles break the surface of the soils in this area, the soils can essentially dissolve and erode very quickly during the rains,” he said.
‘Without remedial work, those bare areas are susceptible to weed growth and ongoing erosion problems, and it could take months for natural vegetation to regrow.
“The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service does not apologize for issuing fines to people who cause damage to our protected areas.”
A carton of Bundaberg rum and coke was also left behind.
The private road that cars traveled to the area is essential for firefighters.
Cars were abandoned in the area while those inside waded through floodwaters.
Cars were trapped in the area for weeks afterward.
Pictured is the path of destruction left by 4WDs.