Tragedy Strikes Remote Station as Young Jillaroo Succumbs to Extreme Heat
A 27-year-old jillaroo has died after collapsing while mustering cattle on horseback during searing 44.8-degree Celsius heat in Western Australia's Pilbara region, sparking serious concerns about workplace safety in extreme environmental conditions.
Fatal Incident During December Heatwave
Tiffani Phelps De Wildt fell critically ill on December 10 while working at Ashburton Downs station, located in one of Australia's hottest and most remote regions. Colleagues reported that the young worker initially complained of severe exhaustion before they helped her sit in the shade of her horse and urgently radioed her husband Corey for assistance.
"She lost consciousness in the car," her brother Brandon De Wildt revealed to the ABC. "He stopped, took her out and gave her CPR. We know she said some words in Dutch … and her husband isn't too good at Dutch."
Desperate Attempts to Save Her Life
Corey De Wildt drove from the station and met the group on the highway before racing toward the nearest medical facility. Paramedics discovered Ms Phelps De Wildt unresponsive on the Paraburdoo–Tom Price Highway, approximately 30 kilometres from the closest medical centre. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, medical professionals could not revive the young woman.
The Bureau of Meteorology confirmed that nearby Paraburdoo recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8C on that fateful day, marking it as the hottest December day of 2025 in the region.
Heat Stroke Suspected in Tragic Death
"What the paramedics said at the scene was that it could possibly be heat stroke," Mr De Wildt explained. He added that his sister had been advised against working in such extreme conditions but remained determined to care for the animals under her responsibility.
"She was advised not to go out but she really wanted to go for the animals," he said. "My sister is who she is — she loves being outside and she loves the animals."
Medical Expert Warns About Extreme Heat Dangers
St John WA deputy director of paramedicine Andy Bell described Ms Phelps De Wildt's death as an "absolute tragedy" that serves as a critical warning about the potentially deadly consequences of working in extreme heat conditions.
"This is a classic case of somebody working in a very, very hot environment displaying signs of heat-related illness," Mr Bell told the ABC. "Because of the tyranny of distance in rural WA, it's very, very difficult for people to get the help they need in a timeframe that would be most appropriate."
Remembering a Vibrant Life Cut Short
Ms Phelps De Wildt had moved to Western Australia from the Netherlands six years earlier, embracing the Australian outback lifestyle with enthusiasm and dedication. Her brother remembered her as a particularly special person whose presence brightened the lives of those around her.
"She was a wonderful person," Mr De Wildt said emotionally. "She had a really kind smile — one of those where, when you see her, you smile yourself."
Investigations Underway Into Workplace Incident
Western Australia Police are currently preparing a comprehensive report for the coroner regarding this tragic workplace death. Simultaneously, WorkSafe has launched its own investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident, examining workplace safety protocols and environmental risk management at remote stations during extreme weather events.
This heartbreaking case highlights the significant challenges faced by agricultural workers in Australia's most remote and environmentally demanding regions, particularly as climate patterns continue to produce more frequent and intense heatwaves across the continent.
