A mother of four who drank puddle water to survive a week lost in the north Queensland bush has been found just as police were due to make a public appeal.
Rikki Mitchell’s ordeal began when she went missing after becoming disoriented near the Reid River, south of Townsville, while going for a swim on May 2.
It ended on Wednesday when she came across an all-terrain vehicle and drove it towards a highway until she found help.
Police say Ms Mitchell and her partner, both Charters Towers residents, stopped at a rest bay by the Flinders Highway for several hours before her partner went to visit a friend nearby. She then walked down to Reid River for a swim.
Ms Mitchell, 38, had not returned when her partner came back about 4.30pm.
Police and SES members began a land and air search last week in heavy bushland, admitting they had admitted “serious concerns” for the missing mum’s welfare.
“I was ecstatic to have this outcome,” Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said.
“I’ve got to be honest, the longer the search went, the less optimistic we were.
“We’re concerned from the start, but we’re very concerned after seven days when people haven’t been found – so it is miraculous.”
On Wednesday morning, Ms Mitchell was found disoriented and with minor injuries, minutes before police were due to speak to the media about the search.
Inspector Shepherd said Ms Mitchell drank puddle water to survive.
“I imagine there would be people who disappear for this sort of period of time in this land. There will be times when you’re doubting yourself and just want to sit down and give up,” he said.
“What it does show is if people are lost in the bush, don’t sit down and give up, keep trying to find signs of life somewhere or someone who can help you out, and [Ms Mitchell] ended up coming back relatively close to our search area.”
She was taken to police by a passer-by from a nearby property.
Inspector Shepherd said Ms Mitchell heard the sound of the highway and followed her ears before stumbling upon an all-terrain vehicle.
“She said to me this morning she finally came across a vehicle track and got to a point where she could hear the roadway,” he said.
“She borrowed a four-wheeler and came to the highway before a member of the public found her.
“I believe [the vehicle] is owned by a landholder in the vicinity.”
Ms Mitchell was assessed by paramedics on Wednesday, and taken to hospital in a stable condition.
“She’s obviously got signs that she’s been out in the bush – she’s got lots of scratches over her body, her feet look like they’re cut open and bleeding,” Inspector Shepherd said.
“It has been seven days so I’m not sure whether she’s been able to find any food in that time, how much water she’s been able to drink and whether that water was safe.”
– with AAP
