Closed roads warning, Mount Isa
Mount Isa Police are warning motorists not to ignore road closure signs and not to attempt to cross flooded roads, causeways or water courses.
At 7.45pm on Wednesday night 23 December 2015, police from Camooweal were called out in adverse weather conditions after they received a message from a couple who had become bogged on a road which is currently closed. Police were initially unable to locate the couple due to the weather and poor road conditions.
Police continued to conduct inquiries and received limited information from the stranded couple via Triple Zero (000) phone calls.
Police resumed the search this morning and located the couple at 8.15am bogged and out of fuel on the Gregory Camooweal Road about 40km from Camooweal.
The vehicle was being driven by a 22-year-old man from Broome in Western Australia whom was travelling with a 19-year-old female to Tolga in North Queensland.
Inspector Trevor Kidd of Mount Isa District said there were likely to be more road closures as heavy rain continues in the area.
“We don’t want people to take unnecessary risks as we expect adverse driving conditions over the next week or two,” Inspector Kidd said.
“People who disobey signage are not only putting themselves at risk and the safety of their passengers but also police and emergency services officers who are tasked to respond to stranded travellers.
“If the safety aspect is not enough to deter drivers, there is a $159 traffic infringement notice which can be given to drivers who disobey signage.”
Police will allege when they reached the couple this morning the man abused police and was subsequently charged with a number of offences including obstruct police.
He will appear in the Camooweal Magistrates Court on 26 February 2016.
Investigations are continuing in relation to ignoring the closed road signs.
