Peter Wells tribute: Greenbank flood victim identified as ‘humble, loving’ grandfather

The doting grandfather died on Thursday morning after his ute was swept away in floodwaters at Greenbank, an area battered by falls of more than 150mm overnight.

A man who died in floodwaters at Greenbank has been remembered as a loving grandfather and car enthusiast.

Peter Wells, 71, died on Thursday when the car he was driving was swept away in floodwaters on Begley Rd about 5.20am.

The area was battered with torrential rain overnight, with more than 150mm recorded in Greenbank. 

Mr Wells’ ute was swept onto a private property where he was sadly located deceased this morning. 

Peter Wells, 71, died on Thursday when the car he was driving was swept away in floodwaters on Begley Rd about 5.20am.

Friend and neighbour Keith Draper said Mr Wells was a genuine family man.

“He was such a humble man, he has so many good friends and family,” Mr Draper said.

“I only met him eight or nine years ago and we became really good friends. We did a lot of things for each other, car things. He was just a lovely man.

“He’s part of Greenbank, and he’s part of the car world.

“I just cannot believe he died this way. Just down the road from his own house.”

Mr Wells was a car enthusiast and panel beater who worked on vintage vehicles and lived along Begley Rd.

Police investigate the death of a man after his car was washed off the road by flood waters, Greenbank. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mr Draper - a mechanic - said Mr Wells would always help him out when he needed a favour or help with his cars.

“That’s the type of fella that he was. He would drop everything and help me out,” Mr Draper said.

Mr Draper said Mr Wells had lived in the area for over thirty years with his wife Beverley.

“They were high school sweethearts. He would always tell stories of how he would take her out in his father’s car, how he would court her,” Mr Draper said.

“She must be very, very upset, very devastated.”

Road damaged by flood waters on Backwater Road, Greenbank. Picture: Liam Kidston

Another neighbour said Mr Wells was a lovely man who had children and grandchildren.

“He was just starting to enjoy that chapter of his life,” they said. 

The neighbour, who had lived in the area for 10 years, said the wild weather on Wednesday night caused the road to flood more than usual.

“I’ve never seen anything like it, it was crazy, and I’ve been here for 10 years.

“The pipes were bursting... the water tanks were like fire hydrants.

“The rain just sat over Greenbank and didn’t move.”