Modern Mysteries

Mystery surrounds 'SOS' in Australian outback

By T.K. Randall
May 26, 2017

Image: Police Lights
Credit: Highway Patrol Images / CC BY 2.0 (adapted) The distress signal, which was spotted by a helicopter pilot, prompted an extensive search of the region over fears that someone may have become stranded out in the middle of nowhere.

The letters 'SOS' had been spelled out by arranging dozens of small rocks on the ground and appeared to have been left by someone who was in genuine need of assistance.

Mystery SOS sign sparks missing person fears in remote Australia https://t.co/e2xkMYQmNR pic.twitter.com/F2IbBSr9Nu

— ITV News (@itvnews) May 26, 2017

Located around 300 miles from the city of Broome, the area is so difficult to get to that search and rescue teams were only able to reach the site using a helicopter.They eventually found the remains of a campfire but no sign that anyone was still there, suggesting that the 'SOS' may have actually been set up years ago.

What ultimately became of the person who created it however continues to remain a mystery.

"There are indications that there may have been someone camped there at one point in time, but it is just not clear how long ago that was," said Senior Sgt Peter Reeves.

Source: BBC News

Tags: Australia, Outback