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You are here: usher stories > usher life > the great keppel island disaster |
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Great Keppel Island Disaster Emma Boswell (nee Hancock) My close friend Debs and I travelled around Australia for 3 months. Having visited Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Alice Springs, Darwin, Cairns and the East Coast. What happened on 4th September 1994 was that Debs and I started to walk the track to the beach at 10am. I last saw Debs at 1.15pm, walking ahead of me in Clam Bay - she was at the other side of the beach from me. I walked slowly to the coconut point due to my lack of balance, tunnel vision - being Usher. I thought I could not be bothered to walk around the edges, so I took a short cut up the hill. But I realised I was stuck and could not go back. So I continued walking through the bushes to the Red Beach. I panicked because of my fear of snakes and spiders and I walked faster. I walked to the left; hopefully to find the track. Unfortunately it was too complicated to find the right way so I gave up. I went back to the cliff edge. My knees started to shake because I was desperate for a drink of water. My friend had our little bag with her. At about five, I started to consider my position; a) Must stop climbing the rocks because of the high tide, b) It is getting dark and I cannot see well in the dark, c) Must find some "shelter!" for the night. Found a big hollow rock, not far from the lighthouse, where I sat all night squeezing my arms around me for warmth. I had put my boots on top of the rock, hoping someone could spot them! I kept awake all night as I was afraid of falling asleep. Debs, my friend, had arrived at the resort safely, and alerted the police. The police boat searched unsuccessfully for five hours. I was hungry, thirsty and goddamn cold! I have never felt so scared, alone and thirsty before this adventure. It was half past six in the morning when I started to climb back towards Clam Bay. The moment I smelt oil, I looked out to sea and saw the rescue boat; I was so relieved. It was certainly all a big mistake! |
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