Would you stop to help after this !!!

kiwijims · Guru

Would you stop to help after this !!!

Baz421 · Guru

kiwijims wrote:
I don't think so............

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-03/elderly-couple-shaken-after-stopping-to-help-man-in-nt/6517168

K.J.

Having lived in the NT for 25 years and travelled to some of the remotest communities for work, our policy is to assess each situation on its merits, but we always have an escape plan if we stop, even parked overnight ie we point the rig where we would go for anything, fire, flood, disturbance we wanted to exit from.

It's easy to say one size fits all, but in reality someone may need your help to live so I suggest caution but some sense of community responsibility also.

Also it is based on your own circumstances ie age as in this case is a factor, as is the possibility that others may be hidden in the other vehicle OR in th bush nearby.

It was good he drove off quickly.

As an aside have you thought what you would do if bush camping and someone approached with a firearm??? I would guess not. Our plan is to separate and not congregate together and assess the situation.

Just my thoughts.

Santa · Guru

I always used to stop, not any more.

landy · Guru

When I have stopped in the past I always drive about 50 yards past them. It gives you a chance to have a good look as you go past and as they walk up to your car. if in doubt you are all clear to drive on.
Landy

-- Edited by landy on Wednesday 3rd of June 2015 10:02:23 PM

Baz421 · Guru

landy wrote:
When I have stopped in the past I always drive about 50 yards past them. It gives you a chance to have a good look as I go past and as they walk up to your car. if in doubt you are all clear to drive on.
Landy

Yes that's what we normally do as first choice.

hako · Guru

I have the same sentiments as Baz - really it's pretty bad if you are scared to help your fellow man. I've been helped a few times and it certainly renews your faith in your fellow man.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

I generally would ..

Bruce and Bev · Guru

I'd go with the advice the NT police officer gave in the ABC news item attached to K.Js post. Don't stop - drive on to the next place where there are shops or phone (or mobile ph coverage) and report - let the police check them out. There was no reason of urgency to stop other than the other car apparently being broken down.

We've spoken to several very seasoned nomaders who have recently been in NT and this is a very common trick. Their plan was to drag the lady out and take any money, alcohol, cigarettes and drugs.

I NT, I would not stop, but follow the police advice

blaze · Guru

I stop with caution
Stopped once on the great central road, 50 mie from warbuton, spent some time getting to know the local that was broken down before getting out.
It was 2.00pm and they had been there since 7.00 am, there crime, 3 flat tyres and they had crried 2 spares, all tyres in good nick. Nobody had stopped in that time and I had at least 20 vehicles go past me and they all woud have passed these people.
I only had room for 1 and a coupe of spares so I took him back to the closest community where he said he was ok from there to sort out the tyres and get a ride back.
The sad part was it wasn't until we were well on the way to the comminyy that I learned there was a sick child under the blankets that was diabetic.
So when I got back to the vehicle I gave them all my fresh food (they had plenty of water) so the diabetic child could eat.
Often think about that family, they were real bush locals, very limited english.
I was half way through a trip going west to east on unpaved roads and desert country and the knowledge I gained from the return trip to take this guy to sort out his problems was huge and ended up being some of the best moments in my life.
Cheers
blaze