12-year-old boy drives 800 miles across Australia

A 12-year-old boy was arrested by police in the Australian outback after driving alone for more than 800 miles.

The youth had driven across the country from his home in Kendall on the east coast.

He was stopped by police on Saturday on the Barrier Highway near the remote mining town of Broken Hill with his bumper dragging across the road.

Police said the car had suffered some damage and that it appeared he had been in an accident while making the journey.

He was driving to the west coast city of Perth, more than 2,500 miles from Kendall and had left the family home at about 11.10am on Friday.

Detective Inspector Kim Fehon said: “He’d taken the family car. His parents reported him missing immediately after he left home, so they were looking for him.”

Officers were still investigating why the boy took the car and attempted to cross the country. He was taken to Broken Hill police station after his arrest before being released to his parents.

Police have not yet said whether he has been charged with any offences.