In a harrowing tale of survival that underscores the raw power of Australia's bushfire season, Great Southern local Stanton Kennedy-Smith has recounted his miraculous escape after driving directly into a firestorm. The incident, which he describes as a "wall of flame," occurred on the afternoon of Friday, February 9, as he was travelling on Chester Pass Road near the Stirling Range National Park.
A Terrifying Journey Through the Inferno
Kennedy-Smith, a well-known figure in the region, was returning from Albany when he encountered the rapidly advancing blaze. With visibility dropping to near zero and intense heat radiating through his vehicle, he faced a split-second decision with no clear escape route. "It was like driving into hell," he later described, detailing how the ferocious fire created its own weather system, with embers raining down and winds roaring.
His vehicle, a trusted four-wheel drive, became an oven as he pushed through the flames. Kennedy-Smith emphasised the critical role of staying calm and maintaining momentum, knowing that stopping could be fatal. The experience lasted only minutes but felt like an eternity, with the sound of the firestorm drowning out all else and the world outside his windows turning a terrifying shade of orange and red.
The Unlikely Hero: A Trusty Akubra Hat
In a uniquely Australian twist to his survival story, Kennedy-Smith gives significant credit to an unexpected piece of gear: his trusty Akubra hat. He revealed that during the most intense moments, when searing heat was penetrating the cabin, he used the sturdy felt hat to shield his face and hands from the radiant heat coming through the windows.
"That hat copped a beating," he stated, noting its brim helped protect his eyes from the blinding glare of the flames. While he acknowledges the primary factors were his vehicle's integrity and his own decisive actions, he holds a special appreciation for the practical piece of headwear that provided an extra layer of defence in a critical moment.
Aftermath and Reflections on Bushfire Preparedness
Emerging on the other side of the firefront, Kennedy-Smith found his vehicle scorched and covered in ash, but he was unharmed. The fire, part of a larger emergency in the region that day, required a significant response from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
His story serves as a stark reminder of the sudden and deadly nature of bushfires in Western Australia's Great Southern region. It highlights the importance of heeding emergency warnings and having a survival plan. Kennedy-Smith's experience reinforces key safety messages from authorities: if you are caught in a vehicle during a bushfire, it is generally safer to stay inside the metal body than to flee on foot, as a car offers more protection from radiant heat.
While grateful for his survival, Kennedy-Smith's account adds a powerful, personal dimension to the ongoing discussions about community resilience and preparedness in fire-prone areas. His miraculous journey through the flames, aided by a quintessential outback accessory, is a testament to both human fortitude and the unpredictable challenges posed by the Australian environment.
