Mackay flood waters trap drivers after heavy rainfall

Flash flooding has created havoc in North Qld as multiple drivers found themselves stranded and in need of rescuing with heavy machinery brought into play.

Will Graham came to the rescue of a motorist who became trapped in floodwaters at Eton in the Mackay region on January 12, 2023. The driver was rescued in an excavator bucket. Picture: 7News Mackay.

A driver has narrowly avoided being swept away in floodwaters after storms smashed the Mackay region on Wednesday night.

A Queensland Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said a crew was called to Mirani-Eton Rd at Brightly west of Mackay at 6.15pm following reports a driver was stranded on the roof of their vehicle.

“The water was quite fast flowing,” the QFES spokeswoman said.

“Our crews were unable to access it for awhile due to water on the roads.

Will Graham and his boss came to the rescue of a motorist who became trapped in floodwaters at Eton in the Mackay region on January 12, 2023. The driver was rescued in an excavator bucket. Picture: 7News Mackay.

Will Graham and his boss came to the rescue of a motorist who became trapped in floodwaters at Eton in the Mackay region on January 12, 2023. The driver was rescued in an excavator bucket. Picture: 7News Mackay.

“We had a our swiftwater technical rescue team activated but before we were able to arrive there, the person was actually rescued by a member of the public via an excavator bucket.

“After that, our swiftwater team was stood down, and we weren’t required there.”

The spokeswoman added paramedics and police officers were also at the scene.

Will Graham and his boss came to the rescue of a motorist who became trapped in floodwaters at Eton in the Mackay region on January 12, 2023. The driver was rescued in an excavator bucket. Picture: 7News Mackay.

Flash flooding on Wednesday night also created an emergency situation in the Pioneer Valley.

SES local controller Alex McPhee said a female driver was “trapped” between two creeks just outside of Mirani with the watchdesk activating crews to rescue her with floodboats.

Facebook user William Missin shared this photo of flooding over Farleigh Habana Rd in the Mackay region, January 12, 2023.

“She needed to get home and out of the way,” Mr McPhee said.

“The lady was just needing to get home to her family.

“If you’re driving around anywhere in Mackay at the present moment, keep an ear out for the (emergency) radio announcements.”

He added SES volunteers also attended to three other storm damage call-outs including a leaking roof in East Mackay and two leaking roofs at Sarina.

Facebook user Krysti Chandler shared this photo of flooding at Mandarana in the Mackay region, January 12, 2023.

Mr McPhee urged residents to plan ahead and check with their council’s Emergency Dashboard for up-to-date information on road conditions as well as live camera feeds on water levels.

Emergency crews were also required at Ooralea on Wednesday night following a two-vehicle crash on Broadsound and Nebo Roads at 8.14pm.

A Queensland Ambulance Service roundup states a female aged in her mid-teens was taken to Mackay Base Hospital with back-pain.

Then in Emerald at 11.07pm, a female pedestrian in her 20s suffered neck pain and a facial injury after a vehicle collided into her on Borilla St and Clermont St.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said the vehicle fled the scene and investigations were ongoing.

As of 8am Thursday, the following Mackay region roads are closed from flooding:

– Hicks Rd/Windmill Crossing, Glenella

– Golf Links Rd / Primavera Boulevard, Beaconsfield

– Marian Eton Rd, North Eton

Access the Mackay Emergency Dashboard here.