The use of mobile phones to alert emergency services in the many blackspot areas which plague outback NT areas like Katherine has come into question.
Phone coverage became an issue after a fatal car crash on the Roper Highway on Tuesday which left one dead and another suffering serious injuries.
The lack of mobile phone coverage in the area appears to have delayed a call to emergency services.
According to some reports, a satellite phone was successfully used in that case to call for help.
Katherine Times was told yesterday some travelers will not even attempt the Stuart Highway drive to Darwin without a sat phone.
But costing more than $500 for a handset, such a luxury is not always available to everyone.
000 remains to the primary emergency contact for mobile phones.
The secondary contact is 112.
Both numbers can search for mobile phone towers of other providers to transmit your emergency call.
However, neither 112 or 000 will work if there is no mobile phone coverage. A satellite phone would be required.
Emergency services also suggest travelers carry a personal emergency beacon, an EPIRB, in case of emergency when traveling in the outback.
EPIRB’s cost about $250-300.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
