Three people missing in Australian desert after Alice Springs holiday – WA, NT

A mother, daughter and son have gone missing along one of Australia’s most isolated roads in the middle of the desert after saying they would spend the night on a stranger’s property.

Bonnie Edwards, 70, Eldride Edwards, 41, and Virginia O’Neil, 49, visited Alice Springs for an event on Saturday but have not been seen or heard from since.

It is understood the trio were likely travelling towards Western Australia, possibly back to their home in Halls Creek.

Bonnie reportedly travelled to Alice Springs with her children to participate in a meeting for Indigenous people living in outlying communities.

Bonnie’s husband Malcolm Edwards, the Shire President of Halls Creek, said the last he heard from the trio was from his daughter on Sunday morning.

‘My daughter said they’d met this really nice guy and they were going to stay at his place. We don’t know who that is. No idea who that person was,’ he told ABC. 

Cr Edwards made a report to police on Tuesday after the trio failed to make contact past their travel due date.

‘They normally ring and tell us. This is out of character,’ he said. 

No financial activity has been reported on any of their accounts. 

Police said they are particularly worried for Bonnie as she requires regular medication.

There are no pre-existing health concerns for Mr Edwards and Ms O’Neil.

The group are travelling in a red Toyota Hilux with WA registration PH27156 (above), anyone who sees the vehicle is urged to contact police

The group are travelling in a red Toyota Hilux with WA registration PH27156. 

Watch Commander Michael Milde said: ‘Anyone who has seen the vehicle or knows where the travellers may be is asked to contact police.’