Mackay flooding: Drivers escape submerged vehicles in separate incidents at flooded creek

Two drivers had narrow escapes from their submerged cars in separate incidents in the rain-soaked Mackay region.

Two drivers narrowly escaped their submerged cars moments before the vehicles were swept away in separate incidents at a flooded creek off the same road in the rain-soaked Mackay region.

It comes as the district hit its coldest temperatures in July in 35 years.

Police received the first call about 8.20pm after a man’s Toyota Landcruiser went into a swollen Denison Creek off Oxford Downs Sarina Rd.

He was the only occupant and managed to swim to safety minutes before his vehicle disappeared into the fast flowing water.

A police spokeswoman said within an hour, about 9.15pm, a second vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, drove into a flooded creek crossing on Oxford Downs Sarina Rd.

IF IT'S FLOODED FORGET IT: Warning signs have been placed around Oxford Downs Sarina Rd after two vehicles were swept away in flood waters within about an hour on June 4.

It was at this point the driver from the first incident who was still in the area waded into the water to help the second driver who was still inside his vehicle.

Reports suggested the water was about halfway up the door.

It is understood the driver was initially reluctant to exit the vehicle and wanted to wait for police to arrive.

However he then allowed the other motorist to help and was safely removed from the vehicle by 9.39pm.

The Nissan was then reportedly swept away in flood waters by 9.49pm.

Mackay Regional Council was called to put up signs warning motorists of the flooded area.

It was one of a number of incidents involving vehicles in floodwaters after the Mackay region was lashed by wet weather.

The road to Finch Hatton Gorge has been cut in two places with 0.4m of water covering the first causeway and rocks washing onto the concrete with the rapid pace of the water.

Roads right throughout Mackay and the Pioneer Valley are drenched with aquaplaning occurring in parts and roadside drains overflowing.

Mackay had recorded more than 70mm of rain between 9am and 2am.

Roads are closed at Habana, Mackay and the Sarina region.