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# Zig-zag Creek
- URL: https://townsvillebushwalkingclub.com/zig-zag-creek-1962/
- Published: 1962-04-26T14:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-29T02:49:26.000Z
- Description: Lost in the rugged Zig Zag Creek near Ewan, RAAF man Kenneth Neilson survived with little more than swim trunks, thongs, and a rifle. Townsville Bushwalkers assisted police and RAAF in the April 1962 search, highlighting the dangers and resilience in North Queensland’s wild speargrass country.
- Author: Townsville Bushwalking Club

Assisting Somerville Police in search for lost RAAF man, Kenneth Neilson.

Location:- Zig Zag Creek area off Running River, near Ewan.  
Date - 26 & 27 April.  
Party - Paul Stephenson and Roy Lowe.  
Map used - 4 Mgs Lands Department.  
Transport - Police Department and RAAF.  
Distance by vehicle - about 180 m  
Style of country - open forest, much speargrass.

Working in conjunction with the Police department, Paul and I and two RAAF personnel covered a tract of country 1/2 mile width between the road to Zig-Zag Creek and Running River on a bearing of 200° magnetic. Returning we covered another 1/2 mile strip beside the own a bearing of 20°. We did not find him. He found himself at ~~Ewan Hills (unsure what is written)~~ Station home 25 miles away. 

He also was lost and walked until he reached the coast. He crossed Running River, and kept going. He was lucky enough to strike a road which led him to ~~Ewan Hills (unsure what is written)~~. If he had missed this, he would have finished in jungle on top the Paluma Range.

He was a very lucky lad, for he had only a pair of swim trunks and thongs on his feet, and a .22 rifle with two cartridges left in the magazine.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/7d/ba/7dbaebaf-194e-4ef9-a4d9-2c073a689e9c/content/images/2025/09/ZIG-ZAG-CREEK-mud-map--1.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/7d/ba/7dbaebaf-194e-4ef9-a4d9-2c073a689e9c/content/images/2025/09/Brumby_22-0666-resized-1_jpg_Page_058.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/7d/ba/7dbaebaf-194e-4ef9-a4d9-2c073a689e9c/content/images/2025/09/Brumby_22-0666-resized-1_jpg_Page_059.jpg)