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out at Pigeon Hole, some young lads ranging in age from 10 to 14 yrs took this almost brand new 4WD for a spin one evening. i got a knock on the door form the 'Night Patrol' (community run and operated quasi law control) mob with two of the boys post accident. they were essentially unharmed having come off well considering the possibilities for a more serious crash. they reckon they were only doing 60 km/hr. not likely…80km/hr would be my estimate…anyhow there was only one wearing a seat belt. the two youngsters in the back bounced forward and hit the dash but we're similarly essentially unharmed. the other two boys fronted up at the clinic a couple of hours later having been too frightened to come forward earlier.
this vehicle was purchased brand new by a local teacher's aid with cash. i think the money was probably obtained from 'royalties'. i asked what the owner had in mind to do with the vehicle. she was going to strip it of all saleable items such as wheels etc and maybe torch it when the weather turns. she was planning on heading up to Darwin to buy another vehicle.
despite all the seriousness of the situation, potential for human harm and damage to property in these type of situations: I still see the lighter and funny side to what happened. the boys were scared witless having been caught and having to front up at the clinic. i think their lives of adventure (and misadventure) are to be savoured despite all the negativity that surrounds aboriginal community life.