Korean tourists rescued from outback

Two Korean tourists have been described as "plain stupid" by Northern Territory
police after they became stranded on a dirt road that was closed because of
flooding.
The tourists were travelling from Queensland to Darwin when they became bogged in
the outback.
The main road leading into the Northern Territory has been closed since Saturday,
when 100 metres of the road collapsed during heavy rain.
Despite road closure signs and barriers on the Barkly Highway west of Avon Downs,
the pair decided to drive their Nissan van onto Rankin Road.
The dirt road runs from the Barkly Highway to the Tablelands Highway.
"The actions of these two were irresponsible and they placed themselves and rescuers
at risk," Superintendent Bruce Porter said in a statement.
"These signs are put there for a reason, and for the public's safety."
Police rescued the pair on Thursday morning after their car became bogged about 50km
from Avon Downs.
Supt Porter said the pair had been issued with a $90 traffic infringement notice for
ignoring traffic control signs.
"I again reiterate to the public the importance of taking these warnings and
closures seriously," Supt Porter said.
"There is no easy alternative to this level of flooding, and to assume that a dirt
road would be any more passable than a bitumen road is just plain stupid.
"Commonsense must prevail."
Supt Porter said the tourists had been escorted back to Camooweal, near the
Queensland border.
Two men from Mt Isa were also fined after police found them on the Barkly Highway
near the Rankin Road turn-off.
The pair alerted police to the stranded Koreans.
They told the officers they had travelled from Mt Isa to see the flooding for
themselves as they did not believe the media reports.
The Barkly Highway is expected to remain closed for at least three weeks.