French Amazing Race contestants beg for a lift in Gunnedah. Picture: Marie Hobson / Source: The Daily Telegraph
Holly Byrnes and Samantha Williams, The Daily Telegraph, report
Contestants in a French version of The Amazing Race have run into trouble with SES officials who were forced to redirect the series as it tracked straight into flood-ravaged parts of NSW.
Gunnedah tourism officials were the first to raise concerns about up to 14 teams on Pekin Express, racing towards an overnight pit stop at Lightning Ridge, unaware of road closures and flash flooding dangers along the way.
A French pair, with camera crew in tow, burst into the Gunnedah Tourist Information Centre early yesterday, demanding urgent directions and creating "chaos" for the surprised staff.
Belinda Hockings, Gunnedah Shire's tourism and marketing manager, said the frantic visitors had no idea about the state's flood emergency and "would not take no for an answer when told about the risks".
Locals also complained to police and council after being flagged down and begged for lifts by the competitors, who are allowed to travel between stages of the 10,000km race only by hitch-hiking.
SES controller Kathleen Cain was critical of the show's producers, who failed to alert local authorities or warn contestants about the emergency flood conditions.
"For the team I saw, I was sending them away from the waters," Ms Cain told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.
"But for the rest, I have fears the direct route is through the greatest flooded areas of my region.
"We have a lot of closures and water currents running over the roads. If you got into an undercurrent, it could sweep you away."
Another team, Belgian brothers Ludovic and Samuel Daxhelet, were in luck, being helped along by tourism officials from Coonabarabran, Baradine and Coonamble who drove them around the flooding to Lightning Ridge.
But the dramas may not end there. With Lightning Ridge and nearby Walgett bracing for floods to peak at the weekend, mayor Gustavus Murray said if the teams made it they were likely to be trapped.
"They might have to be in Walgett or Lightning Ridge for some time," Mr Murray said.
The race, with favourites from six series, began in South Korea last month, has moved through the Philippines and is expected to finish in Australia.
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