Tourists stranded after following GPS into deep sand

Two overseas tourists stranded in Kalbarri National Park yesterday did not have water supplies, say police.

Their car became bogged when they followed their GPS onto a deep sand track.

Officers from Kalbarri were called to a coastal access road in the park about 2pm.

Police said it took more than 45 minutes to tow the couple’s Renault hatchback out of the sand.

The Asian couple, aged in their 20s, had not brought any water on the trip.

Senior Constable Ben Reuter said preparing for any journey was essential.

“We ask that people travelling through the region consult with the local visitors centre about designated tracks and roads,” he said.

“In this case the couple had no water which is really dangerous because if they couldn’t contact emergency services it would have been a long walk to the nearest outpost.”

The couple were given a verbal warning by police and no charges were laid.