Outback search for missing man, as dehydrated woman is rescued

Police are searching for a man who has been missing in South Australia’s far north for two days, following the rescue of his dehydrated travelling companion, who is now receiving treatment in hospital. 

The alarm was raised on Sunday afternoon when family members were unable to contact the man and the woman, who had been near Finniss Springs south of Callanna — a location on the Oodnadatta Track.

Police said the pair were separated on Saturday when their four-wheel drive became bogged near Junction Dam on Stuart Creek Station, about 90 kilometres north of Roxby Downs.

The man rode off on a motorbike to seek help, leaving the woman with the four-wheel drive.

When he did not return after several hours, the woman left the vehicle on foot and was found about 1:15pm today, about 100 kilometres north of Roxby Downs.

She has since been taken to hospital.

“Rescuers made their way to the woman who was taken to Roxby Downs Hospital where [she] is being treated for dehydration,” police said.

Aerial and ground search efforts for the pair began at 8:30am.

The police helicopter (PolAir) and a plane will continue searching for the man until 10pm tonight.

Police expect to resume the search at first light tomorrow.