Darwin couple rescued after spending 24 hours bogged in WA desert
A 4WD carrying a man and woman became bogged in the Gibson Desert, prompting a search and rescue operation. (AAP/WA Police)
A Darwin couple spent 24 hours awaiting rescue in outback Western Australia after getting bogged in the Gibson Desert.
The man, 32, and woman, 27, were heading to Warburton when their 4WD got stuck about 300km northwest of the remote community about 11.30am on Friday.
They activated a personal locator beacon and a rescue bid stretched over two days ensued, led by WA Police and assisted by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.
On Friday afternoon a search plane from Kalgoorlie - more than 900km away - spotted the pair who had made camp by their Toyota LandCruiser.
On Saturday morning a second plane, an AMSA Challenger, dropped off an emergency kit which included a satellite phone so they could make contact with Warburton police.
Finally, a long-range search and rescue helicopter from Bristowe Helicopters in Broome plucked the pair to safety about 11.45am WAST Saturday.
Four hours later, the helicopter arrived in Broome and the couple were taken to the Broome Regional Hospital.
The Darwin residents were released from hospital on Saturday evening.
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