A STOLEN 4WD belonging to terminal cancer sufferer Steve Hughes has been found this morning, burning by the side of a road at Huntfield Heights.

Mr Hughes, 56, and his partner Lynne Woodcock, 51, had planned a bucket list trip around Australia in their distinctive 1997 Toyota Landcruiser, which they had especially kitted out to complete the journey.

But, the vehicle was stolen from Ms Hughes’ mother’s driveway at Morphett Vale on Tuesday night, just two days before the Darwin couple had planned to leave for Kangaroo Island and then onto Western Australia.

Mr Hughes, who was diagnosed with small-cell cancer earlier this year, has been given six to 24 months to live and had been staying in Adelaide while he underwent radiation treatment.

The couple still plan to leave on their trip after advertiser.com.au exclusively reported the couple’s plight on Wednesday and offers of help flooded in for Mr Hughes.

Mr Hughes said Australian 4WD Action magazine was organising a car and gear for the couple, and they expected to fly to Sydney next week to pick up an 80 Series Landcruiser.

This morning, firefighters and police were called to the burning 4WD on Brodie Rd, about 6.25am.

The 4WD was torched only about 7km from where it was stolen from Cole Court at Morphett Vale.

Mr Hughes said notification his 4WD had now been torched had added to his roller-coaster of emotions this week.

“For a moment there I thought that some of our stuff in the car might still be OK, but they (police) reckon it’s pretty burnt out,” he said.

“They said ‘there’s no point rushing down here, it’s just a (burnt-out) shell.”

Mr Hughes said it was sad to know their kitted out 4WD had been destroyed, and he suspected the culprits had panicked.

“My guess is that they would have had a bit of a panic attack,” he said.

“It has been all over the paper, TV and on social media, it would be pretty hard to drive that vehicle around without someone noticing.

“I wouldn’t want to be driving around in it if I were them.”

SA Police Chief Inspector Ashley Gordon said it was a particularly disappointing result.

“It’s a disappointing result when a car is burnt out for anyone, but in the context of the victim in this circumstance, it’s particularly disappointing,” he said.

“We haven’t been able to get any forensic evidence off the car, as you can see it’s clearly been burnt out.

“There have been some items stolen ... there is a lot of equipment that’s clearly been burnt (as well).”

Insp Gordon said no offenders had been apprehended.

The silver/gold Landcruiser — with roof rack, bull bar, snorkel and Northern Territory numberplates — was stolen from Cole Court between 10pm on Tuesday and 7.30am on Wednesday.

The 4WD has been towed to the Christies Beach Police Station.

Anyone with information or who noticed suspicious activity around Brodie Rd, Huntfield Heights, this morning is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Cancer sufferer’s stolen 4WD found burning