Dramatic rescue as van swept away in 'rapidly rising' flood waters
Two men and three dogs have been saved from floodwaters in a dramatic police rescue in Queensland where more rain and flash flooding is expected over the coming days.
Just after 4pm on Thursday, police were alerted to a Code 1 call for help from Morwincha Road, just several hundred metres away from a fatal traffic crash.
Two men and their three dogs had been swept away by floodwaters and when police arrived at the scene, they saw a van that had been washed off a flooded bridge wedged against a tree.
"We're going to do this quick because the water's coming up," one Queensland Police officer is heard saying in the video.
One of the men was clinging to the passenger door, while another elderly man was still in the submerged vehicle with the three dogs.
Wading more than 100 metres to get to the car, police were able to retrieve the first man and a puppy, in the video shared by the police, water is seen rushing into the vehicle.
One officer took the two to safety, while another officer stayed with the other occupants in the vehicle, the elderly man was sitting in waist-deep water.
The first officers then returned and carried the elderly man on his back through the floodwaters, getting him safely to higher ground.
Police were then tasked with coaxing the two dogs out of the car — a Kelpie and a Great Dane. Once out of the vehicle, they were also carried to safety.
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No one involved in the rescue was seriously injured.
The three dogs, Ghost, Molly and the puppy who is yet to be named, are being cared for by one of the Senior Constables until the weather conditions ease.
"Police continue to urge members of the public are urged to avoid roads, creeks and bridges likely to be impacted by rapidly rising water, storm debris and flood damage during the current wet weather," Queensland Police said.
"Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it."
More rain set to drench Queensland
Queensland is currently experiencing its sixth flooding event in five months.
More heavy rain and flash flooding is expected on the southeast and central coast of the state over the weekend.
There are several flood warnings active across the state.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said while the rain is not as intense as the downpours that caused catastrophic floods in February, the system was expected to linger into Saturday.
"Please don't be anxious," she told reporters.
"The key thing is to be listening to the alerts and we'll be keeping everybody updated as much as possible."
Deputy Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski urged people to stay connected and listen to warnings and avoid driving into floodwater.
"We have lost far too many lives on our roads this year and in previous events," Mr Gollschewski said.
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