Police officers risked their lives rescuing a woman who was trapped when her car was stranded in fast-flowing floodwaters in south-east Queensland.
Authorities say the rescue by a team of emergency workers is another reminder for people to resist driving through flooded roads caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred.
Video captured the rescue operation early yesterday at Glenore Grove in the Lockyer Valley when the woman’s vehicle was trapped against trees after it had been swept into floodwater.
READ MORE: Man saved by drone after desperate call for help among dozens rescued from floods
Two police officers holding ropes, helped by members of the community and the Rural Fire Service, entered the floodwaters, freed her from the car and brought her to safety.
The 69-year-old woman was taken to Ipswich Hospital for treatment to minor injuries and shock.
It is alleged she was attempting to drive through floodwaters on Blind Gully bridge when she became stranded.
Darling Downs district disaster co-ordinator Superintendent Doug McDonald said the incident serves as another reminder, that it does not matter what car you drive, or how big it is, you can still be swept away in floodwaters.
“You cannot drive into floodwaters with the mindset of, ‘it’ll be all right’. We’ve seen time again where people think they can make it across, and then end up needing to be rescued,” he said.
READ MORE: Warnings against premature sandbag removal and irresponsible disposal as ex-Cyclone Alfred
“Poor decisions can put your life; your family’s lives and emergency services’ lives at risk every time you decide to risk it.”
In other news, there is relief for for south-east Queensland today as some emergency weather warnings are pulled back.
Authorities say the Bremer River in the city of Ipswich has peaked at 11.32 metres, just below the major flood level of 11.70m.
But other flood warnings remain in place for rivers across the region, including the Logan River and the Lockyer Creek, though they are expected to recede over the coming hours.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 homes and businesses across the south-east remain without power.
In Northern NSW, there are also moderate flood warnings for the Richmond River., Clarence River and Wilsons River.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese later today will visit two Australian soldiers undergoing treatment in Lismore hospital who were injured when their military vehicles were involved in a rollover while on flood-relief operations.
