Far North police officer swept off the Pump Creek causeway near Almaden

An outback police officer has been caught out by a swift moving current in an embarrassing blunder at a remote causeway west of Cairns. See the incredible photos.

An outback police officer has been caught out by a swift moving current in an embarrassing blunder at a remote causeway west of Cairns.

The police officer was responding to a call when his four-wheel-drive was caught in floodwaters and swept off the road at the Pump Creek causeway, near Almaden, 171km west of Cairns.

At 4.15pm on Friday a single officer patrol was returning to Chillagoe along the Burke Development Rd (Pump Creek Road) between Chillagoe and Almaden, after responding to a call in Mareeba.

The officer drove onto the causeway with the strength of the water current sweeping the vehicle off the roadway and into Pump Creek.

A police four-wheel-drive was swept off the Pump Creek causeway by powerful floodwaters near Almaden on Friday, January 13. Picture: Supplied

The officer managed to get out of the vehicle and swam a short distance to the creek bank.

Police said the officer was physically uninjured.

The four-wheel-drive will be recovered once flood waters recede.

Police said there were sufficient police vehicles in the district to ensure there was no disruption to policing services whilea replacement vehicle was sourced.

An investigation has begun as to the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A police spokesman said it was important to take care around floodwaters.

“If it is flooded, forget it,” he said.

The officer was not injured in the incident and an investigation has begun. Picture: Supplied

Originally published as Far North police officer swept off the Pump Creek causeway near Almaden