‘Roaring torrent’: Heartbreak as pregnant cows, calves drown in floods

A Fraser Coast couple woke in the early hours to hear their sheep bleating and up to their necks in floodwaters which tragically swept pregnant cows and calves to their death. VIDEO

A Fraser Coast couple were devastated to wake at 3.30am and find their sheep, pregnant cows and calves had been washed away during an unprecedented flood emergency where 673mm of rain was dumped in the region.

Michael and Kerri Dixon could hear their sheep bleating and grabbed torches to check on their mix of pets and livestock for personal consumption at their Brooweena hobby farm.

“When we got down to the gully, the sheep were up to their necks and we couldn’t see any of our lambs any more,” Mr Dixon said.

“I tried to call them to see if they would come but no, we just spent the next half hour watching them flow down the river.

“I left the gates open for our two pregnant cows and calves but obviously in the dark they’ve become disoriented and they’re gone too.”

Video shows one of the animals was able to swim from the floodwaters safely to shore.

Mr Dixon said he located one of the cows at his neighbour’s property and it’s possible he will receive calls about his other tagged animals across the next week.

He held hope in his sheep being recently shorn, and less likely to be held down by their wool.

The most heartbreaking part of the floods for the Dixons has been watching almost 30 animals float down the “roaring torrent” in their backyard.

“All we can do is sit here and try to call them in hopes they come out of the main stream and swim to our higher ground,” Mr Dixon said.

They had so far called eight of their neighbours’ cattle from the water.

Mr Dixon also received a call this morning from his 87-year-old neighbour who hopped out of bed and into the water which had flooded his home.

The man waded through waist-deep water to get to Mr Dixon who drove him up to their place.

It’s estimated the water had reached about 1m high at the man’s home but they won’t be able to assess the damage for some time.