Apple Fixes 'Life Threatening' Maps Mistakes Reported By Australian Police

Apple Fixes 'Life Threatening' Maps Reported By Australian Police
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Apple has fixed a critical error in its Maps application which Australian police said was putting lives at risk.

It had been reported that the app was directing drivers into the Murray-Sunset National Park instead of the town of Mildura, in the Australian state of Victoria.

Several people had become stranded in the deserted park up to 70km away from town, with no water and in searing 46 degree C temperatures.

Mildura police said:

"Police are extremely concerned as there is no water supply within the Park and temperatures can reach as high as 46 degrees, making this a potentially life threatening issue.

Some of the motorists located by police have been stranded for up to 24 hours without food or water and have walked long distances through dangerous terrain to get phone reception."

Now Apple has fixed the mistake, meaning it should now be safe to drive to the town without fear.

Apple switched from using Google's mapping data to its own custom-built solution in September.

It was immediately criticised for featuring misleading and outdated information, poor 3D images and lacking features such as Street View. Apple later apologised and promised - first in October and as recently again as last week - that it was putting everything behind improving the service.

Here are our ten favourite errors found so far in Apple's Maps app:

iOS Maps Bloopers
Apple Brings Back Woolworths(01 of11)
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Apple was just as distraught as you when Woolworths shut down. So they brought it back. Our Price, Electronics Boutique and other defunct stores are also listed. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Aldwych Station(02 of11)
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Apple removed public transport search from its new Map app - but included Aldwych Station which has been closed since 1994. And was never in Lincoln's Inn. Also, the Sir John Soane museum is not located in the Fields, but around the edge of the square. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Stratford Upon Avon? Never heard of it.(03 of11)
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Apple's new maps seem to not know that Shakespeare's birth place exists. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Falklands?(04 of11)
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Apple has decided to stay out of the whole Falklands/Las Malvinas debate by removing all directions, roads and towns from the islands. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
The Beauty Of Cambridge(05 of11)
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Apple has turned the ancient spires and colleges of Cambridge into a wasteland with its recent Maps app. And has moved Downing College from the outskirts of the town into the centre - miles from its actual location. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Bad Luck, F Chamberlain And Sons(06 of11)
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This greengrocers is listed on Apple's maps - but has been closed for 15 years.
Airfield?(07 of11)
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This man's 35-acre city farm is named Airfield. It is not an Air Field - but Apple has decided otherwise. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Apple Loses Its Own Store(08 of11)
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The Apple store in Sydney is listed as being on the other side of the road than it really is. Oops. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
St Katherine's Dock Loses Its Water(09 of11)
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The marina of St. Katherine's Dock is now filled with cement, according to Apple. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Hagley? You Mean Dudley. (10 of11)
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The town of Hagley is listed as being the town of Dudley - at least seven miles away. (credit:Huffington Post UK)
Uckfield(11 of11)
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The town of Uckfield is almost entirely missing from Apple's Maps. (credit:Huffington Post UK)