Flood tragedy in NSW central west as five-year-old boy’s body found

A five-year-old boy’s body has been found after his family’s car — on the way home from a trip to the zoo — was washed away in floodwaters in central west NSW. WATCH the rescue video

The body of a little boy has been recovered from floodwaters in a tiny rural town in the state’s Central West, after his family were swept into a powerful current on the way home from a trip to the zoo.

The family of five – who live in Sydney but own a property in the tiny town of Tullamore — had spent the day at Dubbo Zoo, when they hit trouble at the Genaren Creek Crossing following days of heavy downpour on Friday night.

Their Toyota HiLux was washed from the road about 8pm, and the parents were forced to try and flee the vehicle with their three children.

Holding one child each, the couple clung to trees as they screamed for help, as their third child, a five-year-old boy, remained trapped in the quickly sinking vehicle.

Two Fijian men were swept into the water while driving from Tamworth to Hillstone three hours later, and heard the family’s screams.

A boy died but his family members were rescued. Picture: Supplied

The family’s car was washed away in floodwaters. Picture: Supplied

Tevita Navara and Taitusi Kovo swam more than 200m towards the distressed family and tried to help them, as they too battled against the raging waters.

“When I heard the children screaming I could not stop thinking about my own kids.

“It was very heartbreaking,” Mr Navara said.

Fijian rescuers Taitusi Kovo and Tevita Navara lost all their possessions while trying to rescue a family in floodwaters. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Flooded roads near Tullamore, NSW. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The pair had a mobile phone, and managed to swim to safety to call triple-0, telling the operator a family with young children were in the water.

“The father of the boy kept saying the other kid was stuck in the car,” Mr Navara said.

“They couldn’t get back there to get him.”

Craig Williams, a member of the local Rural Fire Service brigade, received a call just after 11pm, and was told to tow his small boat out to the scene, where he was confronted with several people hanging onto partially submerged trees.

Tullamore local rescuer Craig Williams. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We went over and saw the father first and he was with another kid,” he said.

“Then we went and grabbed the mother and other child and got them out.”

Mr Williams, who knew the family well, said the parents were obviously upset and knew their son was still stuck in the vehicle.

“It’s pretty hard,” he said.

“It’s terrible, I’ve got kids myself and it’s something no one wants to go through.”

The mum, 28, dad, 37, their son and daughter were taken to Dubbo Hospital for treatment while Mr Navara and Mr Kovo were taken to the Tullamore Pub, where locals looked after them with a place to stay, warm clothes and hot meal.

Mr Kovo and Mr Navara are wearing borrowed clothes until their vehicle is recovered. Picture: Jeremy Piper

“We feel very lucky,” Mr Navara said.

“The first thing I wanted to do was call my wife and kids.”

Police remained at the scene on Friday night, and commenced a search operation on Saturday morning to find the little boy.

After several hours, his body was recovered as members of his distraught family waited with police.

Parkes Shire Mayor Ken Keith labelled the incident a “tragedy” and said it had deeply impacted the tight-knit community.

Floodwaters at Tullamore. Picture: Darren Madsen

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family,” he said.

“In rural communities there is always a network of friends and family who are here to support each other.”

The tragedy follows a huge downpour, which saw 170mm fall over the already saturated catchment in just a few days. Roads across the Central West still resemble floods rather than roads, while paddocks and farms have been turned into dams and swamps.

“We really encourage people to drive safely, and if they can, not drive at all,” Clr Keith said.

Still under water … part of the The McGrane way, Tullamore on Saturday. Picture Darren Madsen

Three people were rescued by a police officer after they became trapped by floodwaters in the state’s Hunter Region yesterday. Picture: PMU

Roads in the area remain closed due to flooding, making access to McGrane Way difficult.

A number of minor to major flood warnings are in place across the state, including for the Bogan River at Peak Hill, and the Lachlan, Gwydir, Namoi, Macquarie, Culgoa, Birrie, Bokhara and Narran rivers.

“Minor flooding is occurring along the Bogan River at Peak Hill, where river levels peaked early Friday morning,” the Bureau of Meteorology said in a statement.

The Bogan River peaked at Peak Hill at 3.47m about 4.30am Friday, and was 3.10m and falling as of 9pm that day.

NSW SES commissioner Carlene York just yesterday made an urgent plea to motorists travelling through flood-affected areas.

“It’s dangerous out there, it’s school holidays,” Ms York said.

“Take care when travelling on the roads, know the route you’re taking, and if you see flooded waters, turn around and find another way.”