Gympie flood emergency: Rescue chopper airlifts family

A family of five that had only recently moved to the Mary Valley were airlifted to safety after their property became cut off by rising floodwaters. Their pet fox terrier was secured in a child rescue capsule for the flight.

A family cut off by rising floodwaters near Amamoor on Friday drove to a safe location up a hill near their home while they waited to be airlifted out.

Five people and a dog were airlifted from Amamoor Creek about midday on Friday after their property became surrounded by floodwaters.

Rolling coverage of Gympie region flood emergency

The Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew was tasked around midday, after the family‘s home was cut off by water in both directions.

The family drove to a safe location up a hill near the house, while they waited for help to arrive.

They told rescuers they had only recently moved to the property.

The Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew rescued five people and their dog, after their property became surrounded by floodwaters, in the Gympie region. The chopper landed outside their home.

The rescue chopper crew followed coordinates to the general area, then the family was able to talk to them by phone and guide them to the property.

The pilot carefully landed the chopper on the road in front of the house and the family drove back down the hill, to meet them. They were all safe and well, and did not require medical attention.

A pet fox terrier was secured in a child rescue capsule for the flight.

The crew carefully navigated wet weather and difficult conditions, as they flew the family to the Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue base.

The Sunshine Coast RACQ LifeFlight Rescue crew flies over the Gympie region on its way to rescue a family of five and their dog from Amamoor Creek.