A British tourist, lost for two days in a remote area of northern Australia, has described being rescued after writing an SOS message in the sand.
Geoff Keys, 63, lost his way in the Jardine National Park in the state of Queensland.
His disappearance while searching for the isolated Eliot Falls led to a big search by helicopter rescuers.
Keys said the map showed it was not far away from his campsite, so he decided to walk some of the way and swim the rest in a creek.
When he was unsuccessful, Keys decided to stop swimming and return to his campsite.
Keys said he decided to swim downstream and after some time got out to write the SOS message “HELP 2807” [the date, 28 July] with an arrow pointing downstream.
Police told the Brisbane Times that the message probably saved his life.
