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'Completely Blindsided': Luke And Ben Vasiliou Captured After A Tip From The Public

A pair of bright pink shorts and some members of the general public were all the Hunters needed to nab Ben and Luke.

It was an absolute rollercoaster for married couple Ben and Luke, after one of the most heart-wrenching escapes in the series so far the pair had managed to stay off the Hunters' radar for the most part. Until a few calls filtered in from the general public.

Ben and Luke explained to 10 Play that they wanted to go on the run to mix up their day-to-day routine.

While Luke works from home, he said his reason for becoming a fugitive was simply to get out of the house.

"I wanted a seriously tough challenge that could stretch my critical thinking," Ben added. "And I also wanted the world to see how hilarious and fun Luke is!"

When it came to planning, Luke said, "I handballed all of that to Ben as he's the planner and strategist in this relationship."

Ben agreed, "I did everything, Luke just turned up," he said with a laugh. Ben created a list of their network, safe houses and travel arrangements while avoiding using technology, instead opting for handwritten notes to communicate with their contacts.

"I got Luke to copy the plan down and gave him an emergency backup plan if we had to split," Ben explained.

Only a few days into their time on the run, Ben and Luke had an emergency: to find more fake tan for Luke. On their way to a pharmacy, they were spotted by a member of the public who contacted Hunter HQ via Instagram.

That tip, combined with one of the most observant crane operators in the country, allowed the Hunters to hone in on the boys, leading to one of the tensest escapes we've seen in Hunted so far. Sitting at a friend's mother-in-law's remote home the boys were settling in for what they thought would be a good night's sleep, until they heard several Ground Hunter vehicles pull up.

"Seeing two Hunters running up the driveway made the whole game so much more real and terrifying," Luke said.

"The backup emergency plan was to always call one of my sisters who could drop everything and they’re super cool in a crisis. But when I realized I had a chance to get out I bloody took it and bolted down the country highway until I found help," Ben added,

The pair were able to regroup and once again disappeared off the Hunters' radar, but it wasn't long until they were stung by another member of the public. Having made their way to a remote campsite, the Hunters received another tip-off call giving away Ben and Luke's location, which "completely blindsided" the pair.

"What you didn't get to see too much was the generosity, kindness and significant amount of help we received from everyday Aussies," Ben said. "The love from strangers on trains, in country towns, in Melbourne's north, they put us up overnight, fed us, gave us money, gave us odd jobs,

"Then these cheeky bastards -- particularly the arsehole who dobbed us in at the caravan park -- need to get a life! We're out here working our backsides off, pushing ourselves doing something new and some bloke calls a tip-off line for a few bob.

"Our strategy worked the whole time. We didn't stuff up on technology or from helpers, we rarely left a trace. We were simply only ever chased down because of tip-offs."

As if out of revenge for slipping away earlier, the Hunters returned with every tool in their arsenal to make sure Luke and Ben did not evade capture for a second time. Arriving at the caravan park with scent dogs, drones, and a massive ground team, they were adamant that they would capture the unsuspecting pair.

"I knew they would throw everything at us," Ben admitted. "Once we got away the first time... I knew we were in for a fight!"

"We knew we would have an extra target on our back as no other team has ever been chased by the Hunters, split up, got back together and continued on," Luke added. "They really wanted us out."

With the full force of Hunter HQ thrown at them, the boys once again split up in the hopes that at least one of them would get away. With very little time, Ben was captured and Luke was sprinting into the night.

"I was screaming out to him, encouraging him to keep going," Ben said. "It took four Hunters, a dog and a drone team to finally get him. I was so proud that he kept going! Absolute legend my husband is."

But their capture wasn't even the most heartbreaking news of their whole run. Throughout the run, Luke was spotted wearing his now signature pink shorts.

"The chewing gum I sat in has stained them," Luke revealed adding, "I tried to rebuy them but they have been discontinued!"

While he does have other colours, Ben was quick to say, "So many people have said they were our undoing but I think they made people connect with Luke more.

"I think he should start his own brand. Maybe Ben Owen from Hunter HQ and Luke can do a collab on 'pink capture pants'."

Hunted continues Sunday at 7 and Monday - Tuesday at 7.30 pm on 10 and 10 Play