In what can surely be filed under the “what in the world were they thinking” category. Three Japanese tourists decided to forgo all logic by following the directions of their rental car’s navigation system and drive directly into the ocean while vacationing in Australia.
Reported in the Redland Times , the plucky trio was apparently trying to get to North Stradbroke Island, an island only accessible by ferry, but instead got stuck in the bay after the tide swept in. Under the direction of their Hyundai Getz’s navigation system, the Japanese tourists were lured out into low tide, only to realize later (far too later) that they had been lead astray.
“It told us we could drive down there” explained Yuza Noda, who was captaining the ship, err, car at the time. “It kept saying it would navigate us to a road. We got stuck…there’s lots of mud.”
After hours of being stuck in mud and water the group decided to abandon the vehicle as the water level continued to rise.
Luckily no one was hurt, with the Japanese students only suffering a healthy dose of embarrassment and $1500 in insurance damage fees.
In an age where we so readily accept the aid of technology, hopefully this incident will serve as a lighthearted lesson for motorist (and everyone really) that a little common sense goes a long way.
The car’s navigation system is not currently suspected of foul play, though it may be wise to bring it in for questioning.
