Dumbass of the Month: Tourist leaves 80L of water behind to go die in the desert

[Toksin]

http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8190385^421,00.html

Dead tourist had 80L of water
December 17, 2003


A BRITISH tourist who died of dehydration left 80 litres of water when he walked away from his bogged vehicle and into the Great Sandy Desert.

Thomas Henry Sykes, 35, of London, died on Friday at a medical clinic in the remote Aboriginal community of Punmu, in Western Australia.

Mr Sykes had been trying to drive hundreds of kilometres east towards Alice Springs when his hired four-wheel drive became bogged.

The vehicle was found on Thursday, but when Mr Sykes was seen near Punmu on Friday morning, after walking 60km in up to 40C, he was unconscious. He died a short time later in Punmu medical clinic.

Mr Sykes' death, and the rescue of a second British tourist at a remote beach north of Broome on the same day, have prompted calls for greater education about the dangers of outback travel.





Sgt David Hornsby, of Marble Bar police, said that if Mr Sykes had observed the golden rule of remote motoring and stayed with his car, he would have survived.

There were 80 litres of water in a tank fitted to the Toyota Hilux that was also equipped with a tent and tinned food.

There were enough supplies in the hired vehicle for Mr Sykes to have survived for more than a week, Sgt Hornsby said.

"What the hire car companies' responsibilities are - that's something I will be looking at as far as the investigation for the coroner goes," he said.

[Oz]

.

[DayDreaM BelieveR]

Wow, it's great to see everyone's logic is in tact these days...

[Jonno]

I wonder what he was thinking?

"Lets see, 80 litres of water, enough food to last me a week, a tent and bogged airconditioned car. On the other hand, there is the Sandy Desert, 40 Degree heat no food or water in sight and I am in the middle of no where. I think I'll take the desert, and to make it even more fun, I'll leave all my supplies behind!"

Idiot.

[BP2K2Max]

why didn't he bring a cell phone? he was planing on a desert voyage in a foreign country. i can't really say i feel bad accept for that dehydrating is a terrbile way to die. it's like waking up with a dry mouth at 3:00am and not being able to get a glass of water, but about 50x worse.

[YogsVR4]

I doubt there are any cell towers in the outback. In anycase, he should have stayed with the water and cover.

[slave]

Yeah up in the NT Yogs there is bugger all phone reception outside darwin.

[publicenemy137]

maybe he had a mirage of a strip club with chicken wings or something, got out of his car and kept tryin to get to it until he got dehydrated

[jon@af]

I honestly dont feel bad for the man. If he's stupid enough to leave his vehicle in the desert, then I dont think he deserves any sympathy. "Hmm, burning hot desert or shaded interior of a vehicle that could be spotted...."

[HogieGT-R]

does this mean that we have another nominee for this year's Darwin Awards?

[Polygon]

Originally Posted by HogieGT-R

does this mean that we have another nominee for this year's Darwin Awards?

Nominee? More like undisputed winner.

[Xv7vX]

It seems weird, i wonder what exactly he was thinking. Maybe he thought he was close enough to something he could walk there, then realized that he wasnt and got lost on the way back. Its hard to say with out being there.
Sad though

[ROB3000GTVR4]

Let's see food, water and a tent OR HOT ASS desert sand and nothing in eyesight.WHAT A FUCKING DUMB ASS

[zebrathree]

Originally Posted by publicenemy137

maybe he had a mirage of a strip club with chicken wings or something, got out of his car and kept tryin to get to it until he got dehydrated

That place would fucking rock.

[Sluttypatton]

While we're on the subject of the Darwin awards, anyone remember the old rocket car story? Here is the "true" story.

Warning: This story takes a LONG time to read, clear an hour from your schedual before attempting.

Here is the true story of the "Rocket car" myth...actually I have no idea if it's true, but if it isn't then the author is a great storyteller.
http://www.wagoneers.com/pages/RocketCar/rockit.html
Thoughts? Comments?