The Zavros family of four has been stuck in the Simpson Desert since late last week.
The ordeal began when Perth couple Ori and Lindsey Zavros, and their two young children, Zane and Zoe, vacationed in the outback only to have their campervan bogged down following torrential rain.
A police helicopter is on its way to rescue the family according to the ABC.
SA Police said the helicopter, with a paramedic on board, left this morning and it is hoped the search rescue will bring the four-member family back to the Olympic Dam airport.
Ori’s mother, Theo Zavros, told the ABC that the family is “thrilled” that the couple and their children are finally going to be rescued. She said they “had enough” of being stranded and having to conserve water ahead of forecast hot weather.
Little Zoe, 3, has been “a little bit sensitive to everything”, said the grandmother who is looking forward to seeing the family.
The helicopter left Port Augusta at 10am ACDT and will reach the scene, 150km north-east of Oodnadatta, this afternoon.
The four-wheel campervan trapped by the flooded roads will be left in the Simpson desert.
The police decided to prioritise the family’s rescue following forecasts that the temperatures would rise to above 40 degrees Celsius in coming days.
“When they were bogged, they had food for the next four days, which was good enough,” Theo Zavros said.
“They were hoping that another traveller would go by and be able to help them, but obviously not so.”
