WA prospector death and missing wife. The Raymond & Jennie Kehlet mystery.

[Metamorphic]

I lost count on the amount of German Tourists in Britz campers we rescued in the NT, back in the day on our mining leases.

Mostly lost and bogged, or stuck half-way trying to cross croc infested swollen rivers.... sitting on the roof dehydrated and disorientated!

Not enough water on board, no GPS....the list goes on!

Your right Wal....If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

 

[PabloP]

There is probably someone already doing it , but I can see benefit in a company providing a 2 or 3 day course based somewhere around Kalgoorlie specifically aimed at Prospectors providing basic knowledge in general bushmanship , 4x4 recovery , GPS use and Navigation , emergency first aid , knowledge on local goldfields , as well as detector instruction and ground reading etc etc . I reckon there would be a few concerned adult children buying the course as a gift for Gold Seeking Nomad Parents.

Just s thought

Good idea Bacchus and it is likely that some may exist, but the same issues apply in most Aussie states not just WA, so Kalgoorlie base may not be the only suitable option.

In the meantime, I am sure that there are many on this forum that could pull together a reasonably comprehensive Bush Safety and Bushcraft guide under the Outdoor & Recreation section. Not focusing on the the prospecting aspects but more on the safety and even survival aspects.

You have covered several of the basic areas, but I am sure that there are more that the experts will identify for consideration as part of the details.

Rob.

 

[Westaus]

I totally agree with Wal and that a "Failure to plan is a plan for failure"

For those that would like a bit of light reading this survival guide was put out by the WA Police and is a VERY good general safety guide. I recommend anyone that is doing any travelling have a read.

http://www.ca.com.au/~cabell/aids224.pdf

 

[Westaus]

Well the story thickens some more and another body has been found but not identified - http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/b...-not-missing-prospectors-20150408-1mgzef.html

Holy crap Batman what is going on !!!

 

[PabloP]

I totally agree with Wal and that a "Failure to plan is a plan for failure"

For those that would like a bit of light reading this survival guide was put out by the WA Police and is a VERY good general safety guide. I recommend anyone that is doing any travelling have a read.

http://www.ca.com.au/~cabell/aids224.pdf

My version of that saying is "If you fail to plan, then plan to fail". I use it all the time and get ridiculed sometimes for using it.

That is an excellent document Westaus, more detailed that we may require, but lots of good info that could be used as a basis for a quick Forum guide on the topic.

Rob.

 

[WalnLiz]

Disturbing to say the least. I've personally met prospectors on our travels who prospect full time and never get in contact with friends for years on end. Many do not have family, and would never be missed. One such guy is a personal friend of mine, divorced years ago, and lives nomadically on the WA Gold Fields. Many guys like him out there, and I wouldn't be surprised if enough shafts were checked more surprises would be unveiled.

 

[RedDirtDigger]

My thoughts are with the family. My only comments to forum members is get a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and put it in your backpack when detecting. PLB's are the size of a packet of cigarettes and will cost you $350 (7 grams of gold) and they are good for five years. Do not get suckered into spot or something that you pay a subscription for. Online registration (providing next of kin and contact details etc, and getting a rego sticker) for your PLB costs nothing and you can log your remote detecting trip details on the government website.
An ebay link below is to the one I have. The first aid kit that is thrown in is very very comprehensive.
cheers RDD

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ACR-RESQ...56?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f40954600

 

[aushunter]

Hey Meta. What about U.F.O's. :/

You beat me to it....

Still reckon foul play, Strange things have and do happen over a little bit of yellow, out there alone, no one about, got a good signal, being watched, intervention, turns into a tussle, metal detector bought to a gun fight, no good, well you know the rest.

Just hope that none of this is what we think it is...
Brad...

 

[WalnLiz]

"On Tuesday morning police had uncovered more evidence that suggested the couple had travelled further than originally thought." Usually this type of evidence is of personal belongings, problem being if you're lost and walk anything resembling a straight line, you can soon be 50ks away from your camp, making a 2500 sq km search area, and in that region it's not good. Fingers crossed for them.

 

[Tathradj]

Quick Question Wal, Taking into account the weather this time of the year and the terrain in that area, How long would you last say with 1 litre of water on you. ??

 

[ProspectorPete]

Thanks for the Ebay link RDD, I've decided to get one now that I've got the detecting bug, hand held GPS & mobile phone will do for most of my situations but for piece of mind having the PLB is worth it for 5 years of "what if".

As far as the missing prospectors go, hopefully they work out what's happened soon as the longer it goes unsolved the more theories there'll be. It does seem odd though.

 

[WalnLiz]

If inexperienced and heaps of luck on your side....maybe a week at best if there's no rain, and you don't walk too long in the daylight hours. Not much water over that way usually, but there's been a bit of rain there lately, so never say never.

 

[Bacchus]

Bush ignorance is scary enough , but some deranged Bradley Murdoch type roaming the outback is what is of concern to me nowadays when we are out in the never never. The only stories which will curl your toes quicker than those from the old timers of Coober Pedy are those of the local coppers of that time and earlier . More than a couple of disputes over opal finished with a quick drop down a long shaft for someone , and there is no doubt that plenty of blokes who don't fit into society nowdays choose to live out in the donga.

Cheers

 

[nuggetino]

Yeah that thought goes through my head too. There's no doubt in my mind Bradley Murdoch wasn't the one and only of his kind in the outback. Just hope these folks didn't end up running into one of these psycho's.

 

[Westaus]

My thoughts are with the family. My only comments to forum members is get a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) and put it in your backpack when detecting. PLB's are the size of a packet of cigarettes and will cost you $350 (7 grams of gold) and they are good for five years. Do not get suckered into spot or something that you pay a subscription for. Online registration (providing next of kin and contact details etc, and getting a rego sticker) for your PLB costs nothing and you can log your remote detecting trip details on the government website.
An ebay link below is to the one I have. The first aid kit that is thrown in is very very comprehensive.
cheers RDD

Thanks RDD, just for anyone who is interested, I am a site sponsor under "Custom Fit Safety" and I have listed these for PA members and will do special pricing. I did not want to initially advertise this in this post but seeing as it has been, I think it is ok to let you all know.

So if you wish to support the site sponsor or buy of ebay your call, but people get something as a backup. I am happy to field any questions regarding these and other remote communications.

BTW the one I have is the smallest on the market so very little to no extra weight, but a whole lot of piece of mind. All Australian warranties and stock from local distributor, so not a cheap copy or knock off in case you were concerned. They meet all approvals and requirements.

https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=132943#p132943

Edit - Just to add 7 years for mine as well not 5 !!!

 

[jamie]

Good news that John Jimenez has been found, lets hope for the safe return of the couple and that it isnt what we all fear may have happened.

Westaus, i for one thank you for telling us about your product, if anything i think this topic has brought to light the fact that things can and do go wrong out in the bush, i guess we all know it but i can admit i dont like to think it will go horribly wrong but it can, having this conversation i think it is a good thing you posting about the PLB and i hope more people get one, i will be getting one as soon as i have the spare coin for it

 

[Beagleboy]

I just heard on the news that police had found a body in a shaft near where these guys were lost. It is unrelated because it has been there for a long time.

 

[kleinman98]

Lets hope they are found safe and sound. Would really hate to find them next year on our trip.

We will be prepared!
And we will do things within our limitations so as not to be a burdon to others but be ready to assist others if necessary.

 

[GaryO]

I just heard on the news that police had found a body in a shaft near where these guys were lost. It is unrelated because it has been there for a long time.

Wow. Unbelievable.

 

[Chewy]

Good news that John Jimenez has been found, lets hope for the safe return of the couple and that it isnt what we all fear may have happened.

Westaus, i for one thank you for telling us about your product, if anything i think this topic has brought to light the fact that things can and do go wrong out in the bush, i guess we all know it but i can admit i dont like to think it will go horribly wrong but it can, having this conversation i think it is a good thing you posting about the PLB and i hope more people get one, i will be getting one as soon as i have the spare coin for it

Have they found John Jimenez? I must have missed that post. I haven't heard anything about it on the news either.