A fly-in fly out (FIFO) worker who prompted a land and air search after he went missing in the Pilbara this week has been found dead about 90 kilometres from Karratha.
Key points:
- FIFO worker Ambrose Walton went missing after leaving a Pilbara mine site on Tuesday
- The 33-year-old’s body was found during a search on Thursday
- The diesel mechanic worked on mine sites across the Pilbara for contracting company Schlam
Western Australian police confirmed the vehicle driven by 33-year-old Ambrose Walton was discovered on Thursday, crashed near an unsealed access road.
Police said Mr Walton had been staying at the Marandoo Mine Camp near Tom Price, 1,450 kilometres north east of Perth, and was planning to travel to the Brockman Four camp on Tuesday.
He also had plans to meet a friend in Karratha at 2pm that same day.
He did not arrive at either location.
Mr Walton, originally from Canada, was working as a diesel mechanic in the region for contracting company Schlam and regularly travelled to and from Perth for work.
Tom Price Police officer in charge Sergeant Chris Clelland said the crash occurred alongside a railway line.
“Sometimes those roads move off into uneven gullied areas due to the nature of the terrain, and that’s an area that Mr Walton has gone into and where the crash has occurred,” he said.
“The unsealed roads that parallel the railway lines, they’re unsealed roads, so you have to take care.
“When we have rain or anything come through the Pilbara it affects the road, so any person using an unsealed access road must drive to the conditions and that means reducing speed and making sure you can see what’s coming up ahead of you.”
The Major Crash Investigations Section is investigating to determine exactly what caused the crash.
Family in Canada informed
Sergeant Clelland said police also liaised with Interpol to inform Mr Walton’s family in Canada.
“Obviously it’s very raw for them and they need to let other people in Canada and overseas know of the passing of Ambrose.”
Police said the family had requested privacy in the wake of Mr Walton’s death.
The search for Mr Walton involved Police Air Wing, volunteers and Rio Tinto emergency personnel.
Sergeant Clelland said it was members of the Rio Tinto team who located Mr. Ambrose.
“They are being fully supported by Rio Tinto and will be supported by WA police moving forward,” he said.
Police said Mr Walton’s vehicle, registration 1GYE661, had “Schlam” written on its side along with the fluorescent yellow mining site decal, SE94.
Anyone with dashcam footage, or who saw Mr Walton driving the single cab white Toyota Hilux along Warlu Road or Roebourne-Wittenoom Road, between Karratha and Tom Price, has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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