TOURIST ASSAULTS RANGER AT KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK
By Marli Ryan
A tourist at Karijini National Park shocked onlookers last month after physically assaulting a park ranger in an unprovoked attack, following a series of erratic and dangerous actions in one of the park’s most hazardous gorge areas.
The incident occurred near Kermit’s Pool and Hancock Gorge, a popular but physically demanding site within the national park, known for its narrow rock ledges and cold, slippery surfaces. Several witnesses, including a man visiting with his partner and friends, described the woman’s behaviour as “completely unpredictable” and “potentially dangerous.”
The man, referred to here as Mr X, told Ngaarda Media:
“We were just enjoying the day, swimming and walking the gorges. In the morning, we saw this woman with another person, kind of acting a bit odd, nothing serious, just a little off. But by the afternoon, things got really strange.”
According to Mr X, the woman began climbing a rock wall clearly marked with “Do Not Climb” signage. She was alone at this point and ignored repeated warnings from a nearby ranger.
“She just acted like he wasn’t there. He was calling out, saying ‘Ma’am, please don’t climb that,’ but she just ignored Him; she didn’t even turn her head,” Mr X said.
Moments later, the woman crossed a safety chain that blocks access to a dangerous section of the gorge, an area marked with signs warning of hypothermia risks, steep drops, and hazardous footing.
“That’s when the ranger really started to get concerned,” Mr X recalled.
The ranger waded into the water in full uniform, his pants soaked, as he tried to follow her without risking his own safety. But he could only go as far as the chain.
After several minutes, the woman returned, once again ignoring the ranger’s attempts to engage with her. But the situation quickly escalated as she approached.
“She suddenly just jumped at him,” Mr X said.
“Grabbed him around the neck and slammed him down onto the rocks. It wasn’t playful, she held him there for about ten seconds. I thought she might actually be choking him.”
Mr X, who had been filming parts of the day, handed his camera to a friend and prepared to intervene. Before he could act, the woman released the ranger and calmly walked away, re-entering the water with a smile on her face.
“It was like nothing had happened,” Mr X said.
“She was just smiling, swimming slowly, completely unbothered. The ranger stood up, clearly shaken, but didn’t retaliate.”
Concerned about the woman’s mental state or possible drug use, Mr X and his group kept their distance as they followed her back up the gorge trail. Along the way, the woman reportedly stopped to perform headstands on a narrow rock ledge, another moment Mr X described as “bizarre.”
“She had just attacked a ranger, and now she’s upside-down doing yoga on a slippery ledge,”
“It was surreal,” he said.
The group eventually reached the car park, where the ranger informed them that the woman had already left. He had not taken down her details or vehicle registration.
“He just said he was relieved she was gone,” Mr X said.
“But we were all thinking what if she’s driving under the influence? What if she hurts someone else?”
According to Mr X, the woman mentioned being on a “spiritual journey.” He added,
“We didn’t know if she was high or having a mental health episode, but the aggression came out of nowhere.”
Despite the assault, the ranger remained calm throughout and attempted to de-escalate the situation without using force.
“He handled it well, honestly,” Mr X said.
“He didn’t get violent, didn’t raise his voice. He clearly realised she needed help, not confrontation.”
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which manages Karijini National Park, has since provided a statement:
“The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is investigating the alleged incident involving a member of the public being aggressive towards a staff member on the weekend. The safety of staff and visitors remains our top priority.”
For Mr X and his group, the day left a lasting impression, one that won’t soon be forgotten.