How my $350,000 ute ended up dumped in a crocodile infested river while I was on holiday in Queensland
- Family lost their $350,000 ute to car thieves
- They dumped the vehicle in the Fitzroy River
- Husband devastated at loss of ‘pride and joy’
A family’s holiday has been ruined after brazen thieves stole their $350,000 ute before callously dumping it into crocodile-infested waters.
Victorian couple Linda and Stewart Gander had been fast asleep just metres from their caravan in Yeppoon, on Queensland’s Capricorn Coast, when a group of teenagers snuck inside and stole the keys to their Ford F350.
Ms Gander recalled hearing the alleged thieves shout ‘we just stole your car you mother f***ers’ before they sped away and rammed the gate of the caravan park.
The decked-out ute, which had Mr Gander’s wallet, credit cards and carpentry tools inside was later abandoned in the Fitzroy River, the Courier Mail reports.
A major rescue operation was launched on Tuesday to retrieve the stolen vehicle from the bottom of the muddy, croc-infested river.
Queensland Police, officers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and local tow truck operators collaborated on the rescue mission.
A family’s holiday has been ruined after brazen thieves stole their $350,000 ute (pictured) before callously dumping it into crocodile-infested waters
Rescuers first used magnets tied to string to locate the vehicle before they connected cables and hauled the vehicle from the thick sludge.
QPWS officers kept an eye out for approaching crocodiles after watersports on the river had to be cancelled after several reported sightings.
One of the ute’s front wheels had just made it above the surface before rescuers began losing light and the boat ramp became too slippery.
The tension cables had snapped twice before efforts were abandoned at about 6pm on Tuesday with the mission to resume at low tide on Wednesday.
Police told the ‘devastated’ couple the ute was spotted doing 150km/hour at Emu Park and ramming into several vehicles, including a cop car.
Mr Gander, the managing director of Timberline Construction, said his ‘pride and joy’ was in considerably good condition.
The couple had made the 20-hour drive from the town of Benalla, in Victoria’s High Country, for a family holiday on the Queensland coast.
In another devastating twist, the family camping beside the Ganders were also robbed of their vehicle – a brand new Nissan Patrol.
The mother of the family heard an engine revving in the middle of the night before the alleged offenders screamed ‘we just stole your car you mother f***ers’.
The family supported the Ganders as they watched their ute be hauled from the depths of the Fitzroy River on Tuesday.
One of the ute’s front wheels had just made it above the surface before rescuers began losing light and the boat ramp became too slippery (pictured)
A Queensland Police spokesperson said three teenagers, aged 15, 16 and 17, have been charged.
The 15-year-old has been charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter premises, enter dwelling, possession of dangerous drug and utensil.
The 17-year-old was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of enter premises, enter dwelling and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Both teens are scheduled to appear before the Rockhampton’s Children Court.
The 16-year-old boy, from Rockhampton, will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act for similar matters.
