(Image source: San Francisco Chronicle ) BY JASMINE BAILEY Police in Australia are warning people against using Apple’s Maps. This — after the app gave directions that left people mistakenly stranded in the middle of the desert — miles away from civilization. KTRK explains that instead of the map leading drivers to the town of Mildura… “Apple’s mapping program is sending motorist into the middle of a national park where there’s no cell phone service, no water and no gas stations.” Murray Sunset National Park is more than 43 miles from Mildura. Police say they’ve received at least six calls to rescue drivers —one was stranded for up to 24 hours without food or water. The Victoria police department released a statement saying… “Mildura Police are urging motorists to be careful when relying on the mapping system on the Apple i-phones operating on the iOS 6 system… Police are extremely concerned as …temperatures can reach as high as [115º], making this a potentially life threatening issue. Police have contacted Apple in relation to the issue and hope the matter is rectified promptly…” A writer for CNet notes… In September Apple opted to dump Google Maps from iOS 6, forcing users to switch to Apple's unreliable app— angering users, prompting an apology from Apple’s CEO and resulting in the firing of Scott Forstall, who was once in charge of iOS—the company’s mobile operating system. And a writer for the Atlantic Wire points out — maybe the map’s slip-ups were funny at first, with the distortion of bridges and highways. But it’s not funny when people’s lives are in danger. “It's pretty next level when the app is sending people out into the middle of a Mad Max sequel without water and probably at risk of a gruesome kangaroo attack. Apple might want to think about fixing this glitch. And firing more people certainly won’t get it done.” According to ABC News “Google Maps is still available on iPhone through its web browser while users wait for an official Google Maps app, which is being prepared for certification on Apple's App Store.” Hopefully the defective Apple map doesn’t lead anyone to their death before then.