News: Backpacker body found...

rab · Sep 19th, 2003, 15:31

Not a story from India but one just hitting the headlines in South Australia, but which will interest travellers everywhere.

A human torso has been found in a dam in the north of South Australia and is thought to be the the remains of missing British backpacker Peter Falconio, who went missing in 2001 while travelling with girlfriend Joanna Lees.

For full story see this website and click on the story. To go straight to the story click here.

Samsara · Sep 19th, 2003, 16:07

I just want to say - male and female backpackers should never hitchhike in Australia. There were other backpacker murders (they were hitchhiking) a few years ago and recently a young male backpacker from NZ was gang raped and tortured in Brisbane (sorry to be so graphic but better safe than sorry).

In India, a Japanese girl was found murdered in her Jaipur hotel room (she was travelling with an Indian man who had absconded) - I think that was last year, anyway not so long ago. And there have been missing backpackers in the Varanasi and Kullu areas.

I feel so grim giving these warnings but for what it's worth it's very easy to be mugged in Australia (I speak from experience!).

Colin · Sep 20th, 2003, 05:04

Just an update, the human torso turned out NOT to be human, probably a kangaroo, a wombat or something similar.
I have hitched thousands of miles both in and out of Australia and have never felt unsafe, I have never been mugged either nor do I know anyone who has been mugged.

Hitchhiking on Australian roads has almost disappeared, I have driven from Melbourne (South) to the north many times and someone looking for a lift is a rarity.

Samsara · Sep 21st, 2003, 05:41

Well, I don't think it's safe (hitchhiking) - there have been a number of murders in the last few years. You can be lucky most of the time but then unlucky that one time. And anybody who lives in Sydney would watch out for muggers, believe me and house break-ins.

I don't want to be alarmist and Australia is a gorgeous place and Colin has never had problems but it does happen, on the other hand.

Sep 19th, 2003, 15:31	#1
rab Honorary Mod Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: McLaren Vale, South Australia Posts: 1,212	News: Backpacker body found... Not a story from India but one just hitting the headlines in South Australia, but which will interest travellers everywhere. A human torso has been found in a dam in the north of South Australia and is thought to be the the remains of missing British backpacker Peter Falconio, who went missing in 2001 while travelling with girlfriend Joanna Lees. For full story see this website and click on the story. To go straight to the story click here.

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Sep 19th, 2003, 16:07	#2
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 509	I just want to say - male and female backpackers should never hitchhike in Australia. There were other backpacker murders (they were hitchhiking) a few years ago and recently a young male backpacker from NZ was gang raped and tortured in Brisbane (sorry to be so graphic but better safe than sorry). In India, a Japanese girl was found murdered in her Jaipur hotel room (she was travelling with an Indian man who had absconded) - I think that was last year, anyway not so long ago. And there have been missing backpackers in the Varanasi and Kullu areas. I feel so grim giving these warnings but for what it's worth it's very easy to be mugged in Australia (I speak from experience!).

Sep 20th, 2003, 05:04	#3
Colin Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand Posts: 208	Just an update, the human torso turned out NOT to be human, probably a kangaroo, a wombat or something similar. I have hitched thousands of miles both in and out of Australia and have never felt unsafe, I have never been mugged either nor do I know anyone who has been mugged. Hitchhiking on Australian roads has almost disappeared, I have driven from Melbourne (South) to the north many times and someone looking for a lift is a rarity.

Sep 21st, 2003, 05:41	#4
Samsara Sentient Being Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 509	Well, I don't think it's safe (hitchhiking) - there have been a number of murders in the last few years. You can be lucky most of the time but then unlucky that one time. And anybody who lives in Sydney would watch out for muggers, believe me and house break-ins. I don't want to be alarmist and Australia is a gorgeous place and Colin has never had problems but it does happen, on the other hand.

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