Police help stranded 90-year-old motorist

Mid West police have come to the rescue of a 90-year-old motorist after a flat tyre left him stranded in the midday sun with no water or phone for more than an hour yesterday.

Senior Constable Scott Smith of Dalwallinu Police Station said officers were driving through Bindoon about 11.50am when they became aware of the man’s predicament.

“We heard over the truckie’s channel on the two way that there was an old bloke stranded on the side of Great Northern Highway,” he said.

Snr Const Smith said he was concerned no passing motorists had stopped to offer help.

“I want people to offer some good will over this festive season,” he said.

“It’s just really dangerous out there on the highway, especially in the heat – he looked quite distressed about it all.

“He asked for a lift and I said ‘I’ll do you one better and change your tyre and get you on your way’.

“He was very appreciative and his stepson called us this morning and thanked us.”

According to weatherzone.com.au, temperatures reached 28 degrees in Bindoon yesterday.

Snr Const Smith said although the man knew how to change a tyre, he was physically incapable of doing it himself.

He said it appeared the man was unaware the tyre was losing air until it was too late.

“He’d been driving on it for quite some time and whole tyre gone right down to the rim.

“He couldn’t really move, so it was pretty bad.”

Snr Const Smith said while it was unusual for police to change motorists’ tyres, they would assist in special circumstances or an emergency.

“Normally we would just call a tow truck driver if need be, but in this instance I just thought, ‘you know what, he’s got a spare tyre, let’s get him on the road’, because safety was paramount,” he said.

He said drivers needed to be prepared for the unexpected when driving in hot weather.

“We just want to remind drivers out there to drive carefully and be mindful to have some water and have some form of communication in case you do get stuck on the side of the road,” he said.