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French tourist stabbed to death at remote rest stop in Australian outback French tourist stabbed to death at remote rest stop in Australian outback French tourist stabbed to death at remote rest stop in Australian outback
(35 minutes later)
A French tourist has died after being stabbed in the neck at a remote outback rest stop in Australia’s Northern Territory.A French tourist has died after being stabbed in the neck at a remote outback rest stop in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The 33-year-old man and his wife had stopped at Connor Well on the Stuart highway, about 100km north of Alice Springs, on Wednesday afternoon when it is believed they were approached by a 35-year-old man. The 33-year-old man and his wife had stopped at Connor Well on the Stuart Highway, about 100km north of Alice Springs, on Wednesday afternoon when it is believed they were approached by a 35-year-old man.
“The man has allegedly then stabbed the male tourist to the neck, in an unprovoked attack,” detective superintendent Travis Wurst told a media conference in Darwin on Thursday. “The man has allegedly then stabbed the male tourist to the neck, in an unprovoked attack,” Detective Superintendent Travis Wurst told a media conference in Darwin on Thursday.
St Johns paramedics attended but the victim died at the scene. St John Ambulance paramedics attended but the victim died at the scene.
The man’s “traumatised” partner was being treated for shock at Alice Springs hospital. His “traumatised” partner was being treated for shock at Alice Springs hospital.
The suspect fled the scene but was arrested on Thursday morning after an overnight manhunt. Police have not yet given any details about his identity.The suspect fled the scene but was arrested on Thursday morning after an overnight manhunt. Police have not yet given any details about his identity.
Detectives believe the remote rest stop was empty except for the victim, his wife and the suspect at the time of the attack. Detectives believe the rest stop was empty except for the victim, his wife and the suspect at the time of the attack.
A motorist who came upon the scene then drove 30km to the nearest roadhouse to raise the alarm, contacting emergency services at about 5.30pm on Wednesday. A motorist who came upon the scene drove 30km to the nearest roadhouse to raise the alarm, contacting emergency services about 5.30pm on Wednesday.
The attacker had already fled in a silver Hyundai hatchback but was stopped by police at Ti Tree, about 90km to the north, where officers recognised the car’s Victoria-registered number plate.The attacker had already fled in a silver Hyundai hatchback but was stopped by police at Ti Tree, about 90km to the north, where officers recognised the car’s Victoria-registered number plate.
He then fled into the bush, prompting police to establish road blocks on the highway and launch an overnight land search. A helicopter was deployed at first light and the man was located and arrested at about 8.30am on Thursday. He then fled into the bush, prompting police to establish roadblocks on the highway and launch an overnight land search. A helicopter was deployed at first light and the man was located and arrested about 8.30am on Thursday.
“A crime scene will remain in place for the remainder of today,” said Wurst. “A crime scene will remain in place for the remainder of today,” Wurst told media in Darwin on Thursday. “Police will continue to speak to a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death. The partner of the victim is currently at Alice Springs hospital where she is being treated for shock.
“Police will continue to speak to a number of witnesses to establish the exact circumstances surrounding the death. The partner of the victim is currently at Alice Springs hospital where she is being treated for shock.” “As one would expect she is particularly traumatised by this event … This is an absolutely devastating occurrence for her and for the family of the deceased as well. Our hearts go out to her and her family, and as far as the Northern Territory police are concerned we’ll investigate this matter thoroughly and efficiently and bring this offender to justice.”
“As one would expect she is particularly traumatised by this event,” Wurst told media in Darwin on Thursday. The French consul had been informed, Wurst said.
“This is an absolutely devastating occurrence for her and for the family of the deceased as well. Our hearts go out to her and her family, and as far as the Northern Territory police are concerned we’ll investigate this matter thoroughly and efficiently and bring this offender to justice.” Connor Well is about 30km south of the remote town of Aileron on the Stuart Highway, which runs through the centre of Australia from Darwin to the coast of South Australia.
The French consul had been informed about the incident, Wurst said. Police are calling for anyone who may have seen the silver Hyundai hatchback on the highway, particularly between Ti Tree and Alice Springs, to contact them.
Connor Well is situated about 30km south of the remote town of Aileron on the Stuart Highway, which runs through the centre of Australia from Darwin to the coast of South Australia.
Police are calling for anyone who may have seen the silver Hyundai hatchback on the Stuart highway, particularly between Ti Tree and Alice Springs, to contact them.