Australian police searching for a woman missing in the outback have discovered a body, believed to be that of Claire Hockridge, 46. The Northern Territory Police said the body has not been formally identified but is thought to be Ms Hockridge, who was part of a group that became stranded more than two weeks ago.
Ms Hockridge was travelling with her partner Tamra McBeath-Riley, 52, and friend Phu Tran, 40, when their car became stuck in a riverbed on 19 November. The trio, along with Ms McBeath-Riley's dog Raya, had been heading from Alice Springs for a hike when they became bogged in the Hugh River.
After three days of unsuccessful attempts to free the vehicle, the group split up to seek help. Ms Hockridge and Mr Tran planned to walk to a highway, while Ms McBeath-Riley stayed near the car, concerned for her dog. They had exhausted their supplies of water, vodka, biscuits and beef noodles.
Police helicopters spotted Ms McBeath-Riley and Raya on Sunday about 1.5km from the car. Mr Tran was found on Tuesday by a farmer on his property, approximately 12km from the vehicle. He told police he had separated from Ms Hockridge two days earlier after reaching a fence, choosing to follow it, which led him to the farmer.
Superintendent Pauline Vicary described the survival of the two found alive as a 'miracle', noting they had found groundwater to drink. Police had feared Ms Hockridge had 'limited to no water supplies' as temperatures in the outback regularly exceed 40C.
