A father and son from Middle Park in Melbourne have been rescued by billionaire businessman Tim Roberts after spending more than 12 hours stranded in remote floodwaters in South Australia's far north.
The pair, Bill Kosky and his son, were travelling in a Toyota when a massive storm swept through the area, leaving their vehicle hopelessly bogged in mud near Lake Eyre.
Stranded after storm
"I drove out towards Lake Eyre on the road and there was a huge storm," Bill Kosky said. "Everything started to get flooded and I got bogged and I was left there."
With minimal phone signal and no way out, the two texted emergency services, who contacted the William Creek Hotel for assistance.
Unexpected rescue
"Fortunately ... a very kind gentleman in a helicopter was flying past and came and picked us up," Kosky said. Their rescuer was Tim Roberts, a billionaire businessman who had stopped at the pub for the night.
Roberts took to the sky in his helicopter with local legend Trevor Wright to locate and rescue the father and son. From above, the stranded tourists appeared as just a speck on the vast waterlogged landscape.
Unprecedented flooding
"I've travelled these parts after floods for 20 years. I've never seen anything like this," Kosky said, highlighting the severity of the flooding.
