Alan Forrester identified as man killed in floodwater near Grafton

The body of an elderly man who died in floodwater at Coaldale has been identified as Alan Forrester, described as a “truly decent person” by family and friends.

Tributes have flowed for a 72-year-old man who was killed in flash flooding near Grafton on Thursday.

Alan Forrester has been remembered as a “truly decent person” on social media by those who knew him after his body was recovered from a property about 35km north of Grafton.

Officers from Coffs/Clarence Police District were contacted about 8.30pm on March 24 after reports the 72-year-old man went missing in flood water on Coaldale Road, Coaldale, west of Maclean.

Police believe Mr Forrester had attempted to cross a flooded roadway on foot near Coaldale Road.

A search involving local police found his body at about 9.15pm, a short distance away in a gully.

Copmanhurst and Grafton SES units were activated but were later asked to stand down after police advised the incident was no longer a rescue operation.

Tributes flowed on Facebook to Mr Forrester’s wife and family on their tragic and sudden loss.

He was described as a “truly decent person” who “will be missed by many.”

According to his Facebook profile Mr Forrester lived in Grafton with his wife but was originally from Adelaide.

Alan Forrester tragically went missing and ultimately lost his life in floodwaters at Coaldale. Photo Lachlan Thompson / Daily Examiner

There have been nine flood deaths recorded previously in New South Wales. Five of them were from Lismore.

The bodies of four people were recovered in two days in Lismore, which experienced its worst flood on record.

They included 84-year-old Lorraine Hyman, who lived on Ewing Street in Lismore.

Marge Graham, 82, a local radio presenter in Lismore, also died in the floodwaters.

She was a singer-songwriter and well known for organising many country music events and charity fundraisers.

Stuart Bock, 56, was confirmed as the third death in Lismore. Later that day, the body of a man believed to be in his 70s was discovered inside a flooded unit in South Lismore.

A report will be prepared for the coroner concerning the latest death.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology is warning Grafton could see up to 80mm of rain from Saturday through to Monday on an already saturated catchment.