UPDATE: A dramatic rescue unfolded on the Nullarbor Highway when Caleb Humphries, a 23-year-old driver, was stranded for days with no phone signal or food. Despite repeatedly signaling for help with the word “help” written on his car windows, he received no assistance from passing travelers.
Humphries began his journey from Casino, New South Wales to Margaret River, Western Australia, when his vehicle suffered a critical failure. On the morning of July 29, 2023, an engine warning light indicated trouble, revealing that a vital engine component had “melted.”
“I thought I’d blown a radiator hose, but it turns out I had melted a tensioner pulley,” Humphries recounted. After exhausting all options to fix his vehicle, he was left stranded approximately 30 kilometers from the nearest town, Madura. His attempts to flag down help were met with indifference, leading him to realize he was in a precarious situation.
As hours passed with no word from him, Caleb’s family grew increasingly alarmed. His last communication was a social media post around 1 PM on July 29, prompting his mother, Paula Molnar, to panic. “Nobody had heard from him… That’s when we all went into panic mode,” she shared.
In a desperate effort, a family friend posted a missing person notification on a local Facebook page. As night fell, anxiety mounted among Caleb’s loved ones, who were nearly 3,000 kilometers away in New South Wales.
Meanwhile, in a remarkable turn of events, Bec Dale, a resident of Margaret River, saw the post and forwarded it to truck driver Peter Rowling. Rowling connected with fellow trucker Chevy Hawkins, who happened to be driving through the Nullarbor that evening. Within an hour, Hawkins located Caleb, bringing him much-needed relief.
“My mate has a truck, he’s got good lights and seen him quite easily,” Rowling reported. Thanks to Hawkins’ StarLink satellite service, the pair communicated Caleb’s urgent needs, allowing truckers to coordinate the delivery of a replacement part from Kalgoorlie.
After two nights in his vehicle, a truck driver arrived with the part on the morning of July 31. “I felt hopeless as a mum, but this whole team of people just rallied around and knew what to do,” Paula expressed, relieved to hear her son was safe.
Despite the successful rescue, many are questioning why no one stopped to assist Caleb. Rowling commented, “It’s a sign of the times… A lot of people don’t stop because of movies, and it feels dangerous.” He emphasized the importance of checking on fellow travelers, especially in remote areas where help can be scarce.
Bec Dale echoed this sentiment, noting, “It’s just the true Aussie spirit.” Her involvement in the rescue highlighted the power of community and quick action in dire situations.
Caleb Humphries is now free to continue his journey, having survived on just a box of crackers and a few muesli bars during his ordeal. His story serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of isolation on the open road and the need for vigilance and compassion among travelers.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
