Shocking new footage reveals a 4WD vehicle abandoned after a failed New Year's Day joyride on Queensland's Fraser Island has been ruthlessly stripped by thieves, mere hours after police left the scene.
A Costly New Year's Misadventure
The incident began in the early hours of January 1, when a white Toyota Hilux ute became hopelessly bogged in the sand on the world's largest sand island, also known as K'gari. The vehicle was found near the east side of the island close to the Yidney Rock Bypass by local authorities later that morning. Fortunately, no one was trapped inside the stranded 4WD.
Despite the efforts of emergency crews, who even employed a digger in an attempt to free it, the vehicle remained firmly stuck. Queensland Police attended the scene at approximately 8:30am on January 1, cordoning off the area with police tape after confirming no criminal offences had been detected and making contact with the vehicle's owner.
Stripped Bare in Broad Daylight
In a brazen update, video obtained by the Daily Mail shows the car was systematically ransacked just hours after authorities departed. Footage captured by locals Kev and Adele from the Indefinite Leave Facebook page at 7am on Friday morning showed the ute still largely intact during high tide.
However, when the couple returned a mere five hours later, they discovered the vehicle had been almost entirely stripped. Thieves had removed all four wheels, the registration plates, and various items stored in the vehicle's canopy, leaving behind little more than a shell with police tape dangling limply from its frame.
"[It] doesn't take long for people to strip and steal does it," the couple remarked on social media, adding wryly, "Less to remove now I guess!" They speculated that removing the wreck would now require "some serious equipment."
Environmental Concerns and Public Reaction
The social media post sparked hundreds of comments, with many locals expressing anger and concern. A primary worry was the potential environmental impact from fuel and oil leaking from the damaged vehicle onto the pristine beach and into the ocean.
"The pollution from the debris falling off of it with the wave action would be of more concern than not damaging the car with a loader... fuels and oils too. Get it gone asap you'd think," commented one concerned individual, Matthew Lusa. Others questioned why the digger present did not simply remove the wreck immediately to prevent both theft and pollution.
Additional concerns were raised about the discarded police tape, with one person asking if it could be removed to prevent it from endangering local wildlife like dingoes or seabirds.
Kev and Adele used the incident to issue a stark warning to other drivers, noting the car was in a 40km/h speed zone and stating, "The beach is unforgiving when it comes to reckless driving. Stay safe everyone."
A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed enquiries with the vehicle's owner are ongoing, but reiterated that no criminal offences have been detected related to the initial bogging. The investigation into the theft of the vehicle's parts is likely to be a separate matter.
