Severe heat exposure and dehydration is believed to have claimed the life of an experienced motorcyclist, whose body was found on Saturday in a remote corner of the Kimberley region.
Daniel Price, 31, had embarked on a solo trip from Darwin to Karratha in Western Australia‘s northern reaches last week.
Relatives notified police on Thursday when Price, a fly-in, fly-out worker based in Karratha, didn’t arrive home on Wednesday afternoon.
Authorities were able to narrow down a search area after tracing his mobile phone to a phone tower in Wyndham.
An aerial and ground search along the Gibbs River Road resulted in the discovery of a body, which is understood to match Price’s description.
Speaking to ABC, East Kimberley Police Inspector Greg Crofts said “We were able to find him in a location that was very remote, very harsh and impassable at this time of the year.”
Police said that Price was well-prepared for his trip, and lost his life despite carrying food and water provisions.
The news comes as parts of the Kimberley continue to swelter in temperatures near 40 degrees.
Price’s death comes days after a 27-year-old hiker died of suspected dehydration in the Nature’s Window region in Kalbarri National Park.
Authorities have advised visitors to carry extra safety supplies and water reserves, and to consider carrying a personal location beacon in case of emergency.
