Wondai flood victim identified as local man Gregory Hodges

A man tragically swept to his death in floodwaters in the South Burnett region has been identified as a well-loved Wondai resident.

The man who tragically died when his car was swept off the road during dangerous storms in the South Burnett has been identified as a beloved Wondai resident.

Gregory Hodges, 67, died after the car he was travelling in with his wife Leesa was swept into floodwaters on Sunday evening.

The couple were driving on MP Creek Road when their car was swept off the road by rising floodwaters at MP Creek crossing just before 5pm.

It’s understood the Hodges were travelling to visit friends when the tragedy occurred.

Several swiftwater rescue crews rushed to the scene and were able to rescue Ms Hodges, who had escaped the vehicle and was clinging to a tree in the rapidly rising floodwaters.

She was safely in the hands on paramedics by 7.50pm and didn’t require hospitalisation.

Mr Hodges however became trapped in the car and tragically drowned, becoming the 12th person killed in flooding across southeast Queensland in recent weeks.

The submerged car was later found but crews could not safely access it until about 11.30pm, when police divers were able to recover the man’s body.

Member for Deb Frecklington expressed her condolences to the man’s family following the tragedy.

“I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the gentleman who lost his life in floodwaters at MP Creek Wondai on Sunday,” Mrs Frecklington said.

“I am deeply grateful for the services of the Police and Emergency Services.”

In a separate near-tragedy, a man in his 20s was rescued after his car was caught up in “ankle-deep” flash flooding at Byee on Sunday night.

He was able to escape from the car before emergency crews arrived at the incident near Lancasters Road and Silverleaf Road at 11pm.

Paramedics assessed the man however he was uninjured and didn’t require transport to hospital