Good samaritan saves drowning man from raging floodwaters

A man jumped into raging flood waters to save someone who was drowning in the Lockyer Valley on Saturday, while a family of three were rescued just before their home went underwater on the Sunshine Coast. INCREDIBLE FOOTAGE

A heroic member of the public has raced into action to save a drowning man in the Lockyer Valley on Saturday night.
Jamie Dickson can be seen on footage obtained from Channel 7, helping a struggling man named Leo out of the torrential flood waters in Grantham about 6pm.

Leo was reportedly exhausted after battling the floodwaters for some time, and could be heard saying “help, I can’t breathe.”
His head bobbed underwater at least three times before Mr Dickson was able to pull him to safety.

In the incredible footage, Mr Dickson can be seen carrying the man out of the head-high water with Leo‘s arms placed around his neck for support.

Flood rescue at Grantham as Queensland flood emergency hits Lockyer Valley. Picture: 7NEWSBrisbane

When asked if the rescue was a brave thing to do, Mr Dickson modestly replied, “I suppose.”

“I thought I seen someone in the water and that was it, there was,” Mr Dickson said.
“Had to go about 300 metres off the road (to get to him). I had to wait to get my breath back to get him.”
The Sunday Mail understands Leo will spend Saturday night being monitored in hospital.

Meanwhile, a family of three are counting their blessings after being rescued from metre-high floodwaters in the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

It was a lucky escape for Nicolette Stewart, Rachel Thompson and their son Noah, who climbed into a QFES rescue boat and said goodbye to their underwater Glasshouse Mountains home in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Ms Stewart said she was shocked by how rapidly the water rose, covering “every inch” of the house.

“It was over a metre high around the property and that’s why we needed the boat to get out,” Ms Stewart said.

Water gushed into the Glasshouse Mountains home, uprooting the furniture. Picture: Nicolette Stewart

“Both wheelie bins were just gone. They just circled around the house and down the yard. I think they’re probably on the highway by now.

“We were trapped inside and were advised to stay inside until they came because that was the safest and if it got to waist level inside, we were to head to the roof. It rose to the door and window levels, it was coming through the drains, so we were just wading in water for hours.”

Ms Stewart said they knew they were in trouble when they spotted a van floating in front of their house.

“A guy tried to drive through the waters and lost his van, and it was just floating out the front, tucked up against the bank,” Ms Stewart said.

“But when the water started to come up to our shins in the house, that’s when we made the call to emergency services.”

Noah, 12, was shocked and a little nervous by the rapid flooding but happy when emergency services arrived with a rescue boat. Picture: Nicolette Stewart

Despite losing all of their possessions, the Stewart’s are counting their blessings, thankful that emergency services were able to reach them in time.

“We only moved in in December, so we have only been there a month and just got the house set up,” Ms Stewart said.

“We were renting so we have nowhere to go. We now have to try and relocate until the house is safe to rent and throw out all of our belongings.

“The couches, the beds, everything’s gone, but we’re very grateful to the emergency services and the police for the constant communication. They gave us a lot of security, excellent advice. We were so grateful they got us out.”