The Queensland Police Service has commended the actions of quick-thinking officers involved in the dramatic rescue of two men and their dogs from a vehicle swept away by flood waters at Morwincha yesterday.
Just after 4pm on Thursday, Police at the scene of a fatal traffic crash on the Cunningham Highway were alerted to calls for help from Morwincha Road, several hundred metres away from the accident scene.
“When officers arrived, they observed a van that had been washed off the flooded bridge now wedged against a tree with a man clinging to the passenger door. Inside the vehicle was an elderly male and three dogs,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
“Police waded more than 100 metres out and retrieved the first man and a puppy, with one officer escorting them to safety as another stayed with the man who was still sitting in the flooded vehicle.”
The officer then returned to the vehicle and carried the elderly male on his back through the flood waters to higher ground.
The remaining officers coaxed the dogs, a kelpie and a great dane, out of the submerged van and carried them out.
Thanks to the brave actions of the four officers from Ipswich District, no one was seriously injured.
One of the Senior Constables (main photo) is currently caring for the dogs, Ghost, Molly and the puppy (still to be named), until conditions ease in the Scenic Rim.
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.
Remember, if it’s flooded, forget it.
